boatswain

(bō′sən)

noun

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

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

See boatswain in American Heritage Dictionary 4

also bo's'n or bos'n or bo·sun

noun

A warrant officer or petty officer in charge of a ship's rigging, anchors, cables, and deck crew.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English botswein

Origin: : bot, boat; see boat

Origin: + swein, mate; see swain

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