boatswain
nounmasculinetécnico/kõtɾɐˈmɛʃtɾɨ/low
con·tra·mes·tre
Definition
A petty officer on a ship, responsible for the maintenance of the vessel and its equipment, and for supervising the crew in specific tasks.
The boatswain's whistle signaled the crew to assemble.
The old boatswain knew every rope and sail on the ship.
syn
Common collocations
boatswain's matechief boatswainboatswain's call
Etymology
Do italiano 'contramastro' ou do francês 'contremaître', significando 'sub-chefe'.