powderman

[ pou-der-man, -muhn ]

/ ˈpaʊ dərˌmæn, -mən /

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noun, plural pow·der·men

[pou-der-men, -muhn]. /ˈpaʊ dərˌmɛn, -mən/.

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

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

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Origin of powderman

First recorded in 1660–70; powder¹ + man

To reduce from 24 men and Powderman to 20, omit four highest numbers.
Ordnance Instructions for the United States Navy.|Bureau of Ordnance, USN
Powderman returns spare powder and passing-box to the magazine.
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
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