'Boatswain's mate' definitions:

Definition of 'Boatswain's mate'

From: GCIDE
  • Boatswain \Boat"swain\, n. [Boat + swain.]
  • 1. (Naut.) An officer who has charge of the boats, sails, rigging, colors, anchors, cables, cordage, etc., of a ship, and who also summons the crew, and performs other duties. [1913 Webster]
  • 2. (Zool.) (a) The jager gull. (b) The tropic bird. [1913 Webster]
  • Boatswain's mate, an assistant of the boatswain. --Totten. [1913 Webster]