deck hand

noun

Nautical. a sailor whose duties are performed on deck.

Origin of deck hand

An Americanism dating back to 1835–45

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for deckhand

Historical Examples of deckhand

One of them was the boatswain Caine, the other a deckhand by the name of Johnson.
The Pirate of Panama
William MacLeod Raine
Behind her, ready to follow her if must be, a deckhand waited with her luggage.
Under the Country Sky
Grace S. Richmond
"Some fool that doesn't know how to sail a boat, I guess," said the other deckhand.
Randy of the River
Horatio Alger Jr.
"Now be good, or I'll shove a few of your teeth down your throat," said the deckhand.
Randy of the River
Horatio Alger Jr.
"Maybe he wants to get you discharged," answered the other deckhand.
Randy of the River
Horatio Alger Jr.

British Dictionary definitions for deckhand

deck hand

noun

a seaman assigned various duties, such as mooring and cargo handling, on the deck of a ship
(in Britain) a seaman over 17 years of age who has seen sea duty for at least one year
a helper aboard a yacht

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

Word Origin and History for deckhand

1844, American English, from deck (n.) + hand (n.).