Main Entry:

¹cox·swain

Pronunciation:

\ˈkäk-sən, -ˌswān\

Function:

noun

Etymology:

Middle English cokswayne, from cok cockboat (a small boat) + swain servant

Date:

15th century

1 : a sailor who has charge of a ship's boat and its crew and who usually steers 2 : a steersman of a racing shell who usually directs the rowers