coxswain

[ kok-suhn ]

noun

1. a person who steers a racing shell.
2. a person who is in charge of a ship's boat and its crew, under an officer, and who steers it.

coxswain

/ -ˌsweɪn; ˈkɒksən /

noun

1. the helmsman of a lifeboat, racing shell, etc Also calledcockswain

Pronunciation Note

The spelling pronunciation [kok, -sweyn] is almost never used.

Word History and Origins

Origin of coxswain¹

First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English cokeswayne; cockboat, swain

Word History and Origins

Origin of coxswain¹

C15: from cock a ship's boat + swain

Example Sentences

I looked behind me and saw that the officer, the coxswain, who only had to steer the boat, had fallen asleep.

From The Daily Beast

With this coxswain he conversed long about the nature of his stirring and dangerous duties.

From Project Gutenberg

This is the east pier watch-house; the marine residence, if we may so express it, of the coxswain of the lifeboat and his men.

From Project Gutenberg

Despite darkness and turmoil the quick-eyed coxswain and his mate had noted the incident.

From Project Gutenberg

Pike payed out the hawser, the coxswain eased off the spring; away went the boat, and next moment Pike had Stanley by the hair.

From Project Gutenberg

A box near the coxswain a feet was opened, and a blue-light taken out.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• accompany
• advise
• educate
• escort
• govern
• handle
• influence
• instruct
• manage
• maneuver
• navigate
• oversee
• regulate
• see
• shepherd
• steer
• supervise
• sway
• teach
• train