boatswain

/ˈbəʊ.sən/

BƏƱ · sən (2 syllables)

English Noun Top 37,529

Definition

A person aboard ship who is in charge of various maritime affairs.

Etymology

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”).