Jackspeak of the Royal Canadian Navy

Boatswain (also Bosun or Bos'n)

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 swain, or husband. Today in the RCN the term "Boatswain" refers to the professional seaman trade.

Added: 2014-11-01 Last modified: 2014-11-01