boatswain

Also bo's'n,

[boh-suhn]

noun

1. a warrant officer on a warship, or a petty officer on a merchant vessel, in charge of rigging, anchors, cables, etc.

boatswain

/ ˈbəʊsən /

noun

1. a petty officer on a merchant ship or a warrant officer on a warship who is responsible for the maintenance of the ship and its equipment

Pronunciation Note

The spelling pronunciation is almost never used.

Word History and Origins

Origin of boatswain¹

First recorded in 1400–50, boatswain is from the late Middle English word bote-swayn. See boat, swain

Word History and Origins

Origin of boatswain¹

Old English bātswegen ; see _boat , _swain

Example Sentences

Mr. Potts, a 20-year-old crane operator with the rank of boatswain’s mate, had been on leave in Honolulu for two days.

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The other 30 to 40 crew members, including chefs, officers, stewards, engineers, boatswains and deckhands, work year-round with all expenses paid, often even including offshore bar tabs.

Read more on Seattle Times

As a former Navy boatswain’s mate, he has not.

Read more on Washington Post

The boatswain, unmanned for the first time, respectfully dried his eyes on the Jack, and then cheering up, and addressing Mr. Wopsle as Your Honour, solicited permission to take him by the fin.

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That changed with USS Gerald R. Ford last month - all the deck department sailors assigned to the boatswain’s mates bridge watch teams were women.

Read more on Washington Times