The historical Tabernacle was the tent-like structure used by the
Israelites during their 40 years in the desert. It housed the
Ark of the Covenant. (
Exodus:25-27)
Tabernacle was also used to refer to the
Temple of Jerusalem, built after the return to
Israel.
In
Roman Catholicism, the tabernacle is the cupboard in which the
sacrament of the
Eucharist is housed.
source: http://www.wordreference.comAdditionally, tabernacle is a swear word in
Québécois French, often shortened to "tabernac" or "
tabernak."
source: Senso