Boatswain
WordNet
noun
(1) A petty officer on a merchant ship who controls the work of other seamen
WiktionaryText
Etymology
c.1450, from late , from + .
Noun
- The officer (or warrant officer) in charge of sails, rigging, anchors, cables etc. and all work on deck of a sailing ship.
- The petty officer of a merchant ship who controls the work of other seamen.
Related terms
- bosun or bo's'n
- boatswain-bird
- boatswain's chair
- boatswain's pipe