Binnacle

Origin

Earlier bittacle, from French habitacle. Or from Spanish bitacula or Portuguese bitacola, both from Latin habitaculum ("little dwelling place").

Online_Etymology_Dictionary

Compare Spanish bitácora.

Full definition of binnacle

Noun

1. (nautical) The wooden housing for a ship's compass, with its corrector magnets and illuminating arrangements; the log and other equipment for measuring the ship's speed is also stowed there.
2. The instrument cluster on a car or motorcycle.