† bosman U.S. Obs.
Also bosseman.
[ad. Fr. bosseman (cf. G. bootsmann boatswain).]
= bowsman. Obs.
| [1807 C. C. Robin Voyages II. 212 Les rameurs sont distribués également de chaque côté; à l'arrière est le patron qui gouverne, et en avant un homme, nommé bosman, une perche à la main, sonde les lieux où l'on craint de toucher.] 1876 Scribner's Monthly Jan. 404/2 A man in the bow called the bosman, who generally wielded a sort of a boathook, watched the course. 1906 Trans. Kansas State Hist. Soc. 1905–6 IX. 272 The captain of the boat, called the ‘patron’, did the steering, and his assistant, called the ‘bosseman’, stood on the bow, pole in hand, and gave directions to the men at the cordelle. |