‖ serang Anglo-Indian.
(səˈræŋ)
Also sarang, syrang.
[a. Pers. sarhang commander.]
A native boatswain or captain of a Lascar crew.
| 1799 Hull Advert. 21 Dec. 4/1 Seringapatam Prize-money{ddd}first dividend. Commandant Subadars, and Serangs of Gun Lascars. 1806 Naval Chron. XV. 469 The sarang, or principal native. 1817 in R. G. Wallace Fifteen Yrs. India (1822) 256 The syrangs..exerted their powerful influence over the seamen. 1891 Kipling Life's Handicap 297 Pambé, the Serang or head man of the Lascar sailors. |