| boatswain | 1. An officer who has charge of the boats, sails, rigging, colours, anchors, cables, cordage, etc, of a ship, and who also summons the crew, and performs other duties. 2. <zoology> The jager gull. The tropic bird. Boatswain's mate, an assistant of the boatswain. Origin: Boat + swain. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
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