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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.
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.