/luynz"meuhn/ , n. , pl. linesmen .
1. Sports.
a. an official, as in tennis and soccer, who assists the referee.
b. Football. an official who marks the distances gained and lost in the progress of play and otherwise assists the referee and field judge.
c. Ice Hockey. either of two officials who assist the referee by watching for icing, offside, and substitution violations and fouls and by conducting face-offs.
2. lineman (def. 1).
[ 1855-60; LINE 1 + 'S 1 + -MAN ]