boatswain Hear it!

boatswain definition

boat·swain (bō′sən)

noun

a ship's warrant officer or petty officer in charge of the deck crew, the rigging, anchors, boats, etc.

Etymology: ME boteswayne < OE batswegen < bat, boat + *swegen, servant < or akin to ON sveinn: see swain

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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