coxswain

• cockswain

From Middle English cokswain; equivalent to cock (“a boat”) +‎ swain (“boy, servant”); hence “the master of a boat”.

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /ˈkɒk.s(ə)n/; (spelling pronunciation) IPA^(key): /ˈkɒkˌsweɪn/
• (General American) IPA^(key): /ˈkɑk.s(ə)n/

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• Rhymes: -ɒksən

coxswain (plural coxswains)

1. In a ship's boat, the helmsman given charge of the boat's crew.
2. (rowing) The member of a crew who steers the shell and coordinates the power and rhythm of the rowers.
3. (archaic) The second or third mate of a vessel, in charge of the master's barge.
4. (naval) A rank or position.

   Canadian Navy Coxswain (or Capitaine d'Armes) is the senior non-commissioned officer aboard a ship

   British Royal Navy Cadets Cadet Coxswain is the highest normal rank which may be achieved.

• cox

coxswain (third-person singular simple present coxswains, present participle coxswaining, simple past and past participle coxswained)

1. (transitive, intransative) To act as coxswain for.

   to coxswain for a college rowing team

   to coxswain a boat

• cox