Synonyms/Hypernyms (Ordered by Estimated Frequency) of noun boatswain

1 sense of boatswain

Sense 1
boatswain, bos'n, bo's'n, bosun, bo'sun -- (a petty officer on a merchant ship who controls the work of other seamen)
       => mariner, seaman, tar, Jack-tar, Jack, old salt, seafarer, gob, sea dog -- (a man who serves as a sailor)