I. noun
also cock·swain ˈkäks ə n also -ˌswān
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English cokswayne, from cok, a kind of boat + swayne servant — more at cock , swain
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 crew
II. verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
transitive verb
: to steer or direct as coxswain
intransitive verb
: to act as coxswain