I. ˈkäk-sən, -ˌswān 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
II. verb
Date: 1928
transitive verb
: to direct as coxswain
intransitive verb
: to act as coxswain