bowsman

noun

bows·​man
ˈbau̇zmən
plural bowsmen
: a crew member of a small boat who is usually stationed in the bow, not assigned to an oar, and usually has some supervisory status

Word History

Etymology

by folk etymology (influence of bow entry 5) from French bosseman, probably from obsolete Low German bossman, alteration of (assumed) Low German bootsman, from boots (genitive of boot boat, from Middle Low German, from Middle English) + man, from Old Saxon; akin to Old High German man

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Dictionary Entries Near bowsman

bow sight

bowsman

bowsprit

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Bowsman.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bowsman. Accessed 29 Nov. 2024.

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