A place of refuge (as for a ship); SYN. harbourage.

Shelter, protected place, haven; shelter for ships

ETYM Old Eng. hostel, ostel, Old Fren. hostel, ostel, Late Lat. hospitale, hospitalis, from Latin hospitalis. Related to Hospital, Hotel.
(Homonym: hostile).
1. A hotel for travelers; SYN. hostelry, inn, lodge.
2. Inexpensive supervised lodging (especially for youths on bicycling trips); SYN. youth hostel, student lodging.

ETYM Cf. Old Eng. scheltrun, shiltroun, schelltrome, scheldtrome, a guard, squadron, as. scildtruma a troop of men with shields; scild shield + truma a band of men. Related to Shield.
1. A covering that provides protection from the weather.
2. A structure that provides privacy and protection from danger.