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Webster 1913 Edition


Boatswain

Boat′swain

,
Noun.
[
Boat
+
swain
.]
1.
(Naut.)
An officer who has charge of the boats, sails, rigging, colors, anchors, cables, cordage, etc., of a ship, and who also summons the crew, and performs other duties.
2.
(Zool.)
(a)
The jager gull.
(b)
The tropic bird.
Boatswain’s mate
,
an assistant of the boatswain.
Totten.

Webster 1828 Edition


Boatswain

BOATSWAIN

,
Noun.
In seamen's language, bosn.
An officer on board of ships, who has charge of the boats,sails, rigging, colors, anchors, cables and cordage. His office is also, to summon the crew to their duty. to relieve the watch, assist in the necessary business of the ship, seize and punish offenders, &c. He has a mate who has charge of the long-boat, for setting forth and weighing anchors, warping, towing and mooring.

Definition 2024


boatswain

boatswain

English

Alternative forms

Noun

boatswain (plural boatswains)

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

Translations

Related terms

References

  1. boatswain” in Douglas Harper, Online Etymology Dictionary (2001).