coxswain

[ kok-suh n, -sweyn ]

/ ˈkɒk sən, -ˌsweɪn /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR coxswain ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

the steersman of a racing shell.

a person who is in charge of a ship's boat and its crew, under an officer, and who steers it.

Nearby words

coxofemoral, coxotuberculosis, coxsackie encephalitis, coxsackie virus, coxsackievirus, coxswain, coxwell chair, coy, coy., coydog, coyote

Also cockswain.

Origin of coxswain

First recorded in 1425–75, coxswain is from the late Middle English word cokeswayne. See cockboat, swain

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for coxswain

I looked behind me and saw that the officer, the coxswain, who only had to steer the boat, had fallen asleep.
Inside Seal Team Six by Don Mann Excerpt|Don Mann|December 4, 2011|DAILY BEAST
The coxswain waved his megaphone at our friends in a friendly fashion, and then gave his attention to his crew.
The Eight-Oared Victors|Lester Chadwick
In a few moments the dark outline of the boat was seen in the water, and the coxswain was directed to steer towards her.
Brave Old Salt|Oliver Optic
A mantle for the officer going on duty; when left in the boat it is in the coxswain's charge.
The Sailor's Word-Book|William Henry Smyth

Jack Stretcher, who was a capital companion, went with us as coxswain.
Salt Water|W. H. G. Kingston
My first business was to see the coxswain and some of the boat's crew and give them a good plain cursing.
The Story of a Strange Career|Anonymous

British Dictionary definitions for coxswain

coxswain

/ (ˈkɒksən, -ˌsweɪn) /

noun

the helmsman of a lifeboat, racing shell, etcAlso called: cockswain

Word Origin for coxswain

C15: from cock a ship's boat + swain

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012