loblolly boy

American  

noun

Obsolete.

1. an assistant to the surgeon on board a ship.

---

loblolly boy British  

noun

1. navy (formerly) a boy or man acting as a medical orderly on board ship

---

Etymology

Origin of loblolly boy

First recorded in 1740–50

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

loblolly boy

A loblolly boy, therefore, was the surgeon's assistant who did the feeding.

From BBC ● Dec. 30, 2021

I was ably assisted, however, in my arduous duties, which, by the way, occupied me very nearly half an hour every morning, after, not before, breakfast, by the loblolly boy “Sugar o’ Lead.”

From Aileen Aroon, A Memoir With other Tales of Faithful Friends and Favourites by Stables, Gordon

I am determined," said the undaunted seaman, "to keep this castle for His Majesty so long as I have a man left to fire a gun, and a loblolly boy to fetch the ammunition.

From St George's Cross by Keene, H. G. (Henry George)

"What's a lad with good friends doing as loblolly boy?"

From Martin Hyde, the Duke's Messenger by Masefield, John

I laid my hand on the rope, and together we drew the loblolly boy upward and out under the blue of heaven.

From Latitude 19 degree A Romance of the West Indies in the Year of Our Lord Eighteen Hundred and Twenty by Crowninshield, Mrs. Schuyler