boatswain

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English[edit]

Alternative forms[edit]

Etymology[edit]

From Middle English botswain, botswein, bote-swayn, from late Old English bātsweġen, from bāt (boat) + sweġen (swain), the latter element a borrowing from Old Norse sveinn (boy); equivalent to boat +‎ swain (boy, servant).[1]

Pronunciation[edit]

Noun[edit]

English Wikipedia has an article on:
Wikipedia

boatswain (plural boatswains)

  1. The officer (or warrant officer) in charge of sails, rigging, anchors, cables etc. and all work on deck of a sailing ship.
  2. The petty officer of a merchant ship who controls the work of other seamen.
  3. A kind of gull, the jaeger.
  4. The tropicbird.

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References[edit]

  1. ^ boatswain”, in OED Online Paid subscription required, Oxford, Oxfordshire: Oxford University Press, launched 2000.