powderman

[ pou-der-man, -muhn ]

/ ˈpaʊ dərˌmæn, -mən /

a person in charge of explosives, especially in a demolition crew.

Slang. a safe-cracker who uses explosives to open safes.

QUIZZES

Even if you can't be a professional chef, you can at least talk like one with this vocabulary quiz.

Question 1 of 9

You may have read the word "simmer" in a recipe or two, but what does it really mean?

First recorded in 1660–70; powder¹ + man

Half the men composing a gun's crew, excluding the Powderman or Boy, are to be Boarders.
Ordnance Instructions for the United States Navy.|Bureau of Ordnance, USN
To reduce from 20 men and Powderman to 16 men and Powderman, omit four next highest numbers.
Ordnance Instructions for the United States Navy.|Bureau of Ordnance, USN
If the Powderman is disabled the highest number takes his place.
Ordnance Instructions for the United States Navy.|Bureau of Ordnance, USN
An 11-inch pivot-gun on its revolving carriage was served by 24 crewmen and a powderman.
Artillery Through the Ages|Albert Manucy

To reduce from 24 men and Powderman to 20, omit four highest numbers.
Ordnance Instructions for the United States Navy.|Bureau of Ordnance, USN