Boatswain

Boatswain was the term given to the warrant officer or petty officer who served as the foreman of a ship's crew. A boatswain was sometimes also the third or fourth mate. The term was often phonetically spelled and pronounced bosun. The term was derived from from late Old English batswegen, from bat ("boat") + Old Norse sveinn ("swain"), meaning a young man, a follower, retainer or servant.

Notable boatswains

 * Bo'sun (Black Pearl)
 * Jimmylegs (Flying Dutchman)