The story
Blend of harrier + aircraft carrier. From the Hawker-Siddeley Harrier GR.1/2/3 & AV-8A and the McDonnell Douglas AV-8B Harrier II, the Harrier jump jet named after the harrier bird.
Etymology from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.
harrier carrier
Today it means: A small light fast aircraft carrier specialized in operating VTOL aircraft, used for controlling sea lanes, convoy escort, and anti-submarine patrol (ASW). Full definition →