boatswain

  1. Noun.  (nautical) The officer (or warrant officer) in charge of sails, rigging, anchors, cables etc. and all work on deck of a sailing ship.
  2. Noun.  (nautical) The petty officer of a merchant ship who controls the work of other seamen.

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This entry was last updated on RefTopia from its source on 3/20/2012.