quartermaster

[ kwawr-ter-mas-ter, -mah-ster ]

/ ˈkwɔr tərˌmæs tər, -ˌmɑ stər /

Military. an officer charged with providing quarters, clothing, fuel, transportation, etc., for a body of troops.

Navy. a petty officer having charge of signals, navigating apparatus, etc.

Origin of quartermaster

First recorded in 1400–50, quartermaster is from the late Middle English word quarter maister. See quarter, master

quar·ter·mas·ter·like, adjective quar·ter·mas·ter·ship, noun

A quartermaster, summoned from the forecastle, hoisted a block and tackle to a derrick.

His Unknown Wife |Louis Tracy
Then, taking the wheel from the hands of the quartermaster, he brought the Knat's bows right under the steamer's counter.

Commander Lawless V.C. |Rolf Bennett
He promoted his quartermaster to the position of third officer, and set him at work as a detective on the case.

Asiatic Breezes |Oliver Optic
The quartermaster promised us fresh beef, but it was slow, very slow in coming.

Recollections with the Third Iowa Regiment |Seymour D. (Seymour Dwight) Thompson

The quartermaster then tried to seize him, and was knocked down for his trouble.

Thirteen Months in the Rebel Army |William G. Stevenson

quartermaster

/ (ˈkwɔːtəˌmɑːstə) /

an officer responsible for accommodation, food, and equipment in a military unit

a rating in the navy, usually a petty officer, with particular responsibility for steering a ship and other navigational duties