Longman Dictionary English From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary EnglishRelated topics: Occupationsboatswainboat‧swain /ˈbəʊsən $ ˈboʊ-/ noun [countable] PMNBOanother spelling of bosunOrigin boatswain (1300-1400) boat + swain “boy, servant” ((13-17 centuries)) ( → SWAIN) ldoceonline.com