Etymology: (1400–50; late ME boteswayn; see boat,swain)
Definition of 'boatswain'
Princeton's WordNet
1. (noun)boatswain, bos'n, bo's'n, bosun, bo'sun a pettyofficer on a merchantship who controls the work of other seamen
Definition of 'boatswain'
Webster Dictionary
1. (noun)boatswain an officer who has charge of the boats, sails, rigging, colors, anchors, cables, cordage, etc., of a ship, and who also summons the crew, and performs other duties
Definitions of boatswain 
