boatswain

[ boh-suh n; spelling pronunciation boht-sweyn ]

/ ˈboʊ sən; spelling pronunciation ˈboʊtˌsweɪn /

a warrant officer on a warship, or a petty officer on a merchant vessel, in charge of rigging, anchors, cables, etc.

Also bo's'n, bosun.

Origin of boatswain

First recorded in 1400–50, boatswain is from the late Middle English word bote-swayn. See boat, swain

The poet Byron's bedroom remains almost as he left it, and on the lawn is the monument to his favorite dog, "Boatswain."

England, Picturesque and Descriptive |Joel Cook
The boatswain is not alarmed if he can have room to handle his ship.

Journeys Through Bookland, Vol. 8 |Charles H. Sylvester
Your father got a berth as third mate, for he was the best scholar, and I shipped as boatswain.

Michael Penguyne |William H. G. Kingston
Against this confidence the boatswain ventured a remonstrance, but the gold was too near to allow the captain to listen or reply.

Jack Tier or The Florida Reef |James Fenimore Cooper

The boatswain's whistle rang loudly in the air, and he repeated the order at the top of his voice.

At Aboukir and Acre |George Alfred Henty

boatswain

/ (ˈbəʊsən) /

a petty officer on a merchant ship or a warrant officer on a warship who is responsible for the maintenance of the ship and its equipment

Old English bātswegen; see boat, swain