water boy

noun

1. a person who carries a canteen or bucket of drinking water to those too occupied to fetch it, as to soldiers, laborers, or football players.
2. a person who sees that livestock is supplied with water, as by filling water troughs.

Word History and Origins

Origin of water boy¹

First recorded in 1630–40

Example Sentences

Taylor, a junior defensive end, linebacker and tight end, served as a ball boy and water boy growing up.

From Los Angeles Times

He drove the golf carts, acted as a water boy, and looked like he had a blast.

From Seattle Times

Unable to play football, he was the team’s water boy.

From Washington Post

Jonathan Ogden of St. Albans may be the best football player the region ever produced, but he played offensive tackle, a position about as likely to win the Heisman as water boy.

From Washington Post

For a brief time, I was the rock ’n’ roll water boy to my masses of fans.

From Los Angeles Times