ˈ ̷ ̷mən, -ˌman, -maa(ə)n noun
( plural boatmen )
1. : one who earns his livelihood by the management or use of a boat or raft: as
a. : deckhand
b. : one who operates a tender to carry passengers and supplies between shore and anchored terminals of transoceanic airplanes
c. : a sawmill worker who works from a flatboat or raft and uses a pike pole to shift and sort logs in the pond — called also poler
2. : boat bug