The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Palanka \Pa*lan"ka\ (p[.a]*l[.a][ng]"k[.a]), n. [Cf. It., Pg., &
   Sp. palanca, fr. L. palanga, phalanga a pole, Gr. fa`lagx.]
   (Mil.)
   A camp permanently intrenched, attached to Turkish frontier
   fortresses.
   [1913 Webster]