ˈbau̇zmən noun
( plural bowsmen )
Etymology: by folk etymology (influence of bow ) (V) from French bosseman, probably from obsolete Low German bossman, alteration of (assumed) Low German bootsman, from boots (gen. of boot boat, from Middle Low German, from Middle English) + man, from Old Saxon; akin to Old High German man — more at boat , man
: a crew member of a small boat who is usually stationed in the bow, not assigned to an oar, and usually has some supervisory status