Boatswain

Pronunciation

• IPA: /ˈbəʊsnÌ©/

Origin

boat + swain("boy, servant")

First attested around 1450, from Old English batswegen, from bāt ("boat") + Old Norse sveinn ("boy").

Online Etymology Dictionary

Alternative forms

• bosun
• bo's'n

Noun

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.

Related terms

• boatswain-bird
• boatswain's chair
• boatswain's pipe