mid-15c., from late Old English batswegen, from bat "boat" (see boat (n.)) + Old Norse sveinn "boy" (see swain). Phonetic spelling bo'sun/bosun is attested from 1840. BOATSWAI [..]

n. A subordinate officer of a vessel, who has general charge of the rigging, anchors, etc.

The officer on a merchant or navy ship who has charge over the hull, sails, rigging, and so forth.

(n) a petty officer on a merchant ship who controls the work of other seamen

The officer who has charge of the boats, sails, rigging, anchors, cordage, cables, and colours. Swain is the Saxon swein (a boy, servant), Swedish sven. Hence, a shepherd is a swain, and a sweetheart [..]

(Pronounced bos'n) the man who has direct charge of all deck work and whom details the crew to accomplish this work as directed by the ship's officers.

Generally, in naval parlance a Boatswain is a non-commissioned officer responsible for the sails, ropes, rigging and boats. This term comes from the Old English batswegen, meaning the boat's swai [..]

The highest unlicensed rating on the ship with charge of all deck hands and who in turn comes under the direct orders of the master or chief mate or mate.

  Pronounced "bosun," refers to the mate, warrant officer, or petty officer in charge of boats, rigging, and ground tackle aboard ship.    

The officer who is responsible for the boats, sails, rigging, colours, anchors, and cables. Also called Bosun.

Also bosun, bos'n, bo's'n, and bo'sun, all of which are pronounced bosun. The highest unlicensed rating in the deck department who has immediate charge of all deck hands, oversees [..]

Usually one of the best sailors, the boatswain (pronounced 'bosun') was responsible for inspecting the ship's sails and rigging every morning. He was also in charge of all deck activiti [..]

  From the Saxon word "swein" which meant a boy or servant.  The boat refers to the ship and not to her small boats. 

a warrant officer or limited duty officer in charge of all deck work.

In sailing ships, the Boatswain was the officer responsible for the rigging, sails and sailing equipment. This responsibility still remains, although it is much smaller now than then. From the 11th Ce [..]

refers to warrant officer or petty officer in charge of boats, rigging, and ground tackle aboard ship.

The officer in charge of sails, rigging, anchors, cables, etc. Pronounced "bosun."

Also bosun, bos'n, bo's'n, and bo'sun, all of which are pronounced bosun. A crew member responsible for keeping the hull, rigging and sails in repair

Also bosun, bos'n, bo's'n, and bo'sun, all of which are pronounced bosun. The highest unlicensed rating in the deck department who has immediate charge of all deck hands, oversees [..]

The highest unlicensed rating in the deck department who has immediate charge of all deck hands and who in turn comes under the direct orders of the master or chief mate or mate.

An officer who takes charge of a yacht's gear, and it is his duty to superintend all work done upon the spars, rigging, or sails. He also takes charge of all spare gear and sails, and sees that e [..]

The highest unlicensed rating in the deck department who has immediate charge of all deck hands and who in turn comes under the direct orders of the master or chief mate or mate.

As required by 17th Century law, British ships-of-war carried three smaller boats, the boat, the cock-boat, and the skiff. The boat - or gig - was usually used by the Captain to go ashore and was the [..]

(nautical) The officer (or warrant officer) in charge of sails, rigging, anchors, cables etc. and all work on deck of a sailing ship. (nautical) The petty officer of a merchant ship who controls t [..]

a supervisor of the seamen; one grade higher than able seaman; sometimes abbreviated as bosn or bosun