'Cartel ship' definitions:

Definition of 'Cartel ship'

From: GCIDE

Cartel \Car*tel"\, n. [F., fr. LL. cartellus a little paper, dim. fr. L. charta. See 1st Card.] [1913 Webster]
1. (Mil.) An agreement between belligerents for the exchange of prisoners. --Wilhelm. [1913 Webster]
2. A letter of defiance or challenge; a challenge to single combat. [Obs.] [1913 Webster]
He is cowed at the very idea of a cartel., --Sir W. Scott. [1913 Webster]
Cartel, or Cartel ship, a ship employed in the exchange of prisoners, or in carrying propositions to an enemy; a ship beating a flag of truce and privileged from capture. [1913 Webster]