The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Embark \Em*bark"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Embarked; p. pr. & vb.
   n. Embarking.] [F. embarquer; pref. em- (L. in) + barque
   bark: cf. Sp. embarcar, It. imbarcare. See Bark. a vessel.]
   1. To cause to go on board a vessel or boat; to put on
      shipboard.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. To engage, enlist, or invest (as persons, money, etc.) in
      any affair; as, he embarked his fortune in trade.
      [1913 Webster]

            It was the reputation of the sect upon which St.
            Paul embarked his salvation.          --South.
      [1913 Webster]

The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Embark \Em*bark"\, v. i.
   1. To go on board a vessel or a boat for a voyage; as, the
      troops embarked for Lisbon.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. To engage in any affair.
      [1913 Webster]

            Slow to embark in such an undertaking. --Macaulay.
      [1913 Webster]

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

embark
    v 1: go on board [syn: embark, ship] [ant: debark,
         disembark, set down]
    2: set out on (an enterprise or subject of study); "she embarked
       upon a new career" [syn: embark, enter]
    3: proceed somewhere despite the risk of possible dangers; "We
       ventured into the world of high-tech and bought a
       supercomputer" [syn: venture, embark]