coxswain

/ˈkɒk.s(ə)n/

Etymology

From Middle English cokswain, equivalent to cock (“small boat”) + swain (“boy, servant”).

noun

  1. In a ship's boat, the helmsman given charge of the boat's crew.
  2. The member of a crew who steers the shell and coordinates the power and rhythm of the rowers.
  3. The second or third mate of a vessel, in charge of the master's barge.
  4. A rank or position.“Canadian Navy Coxswain (or Capitaine d'Armes) is the senior non-commissioned officer aboard a ship”

verb

  1. To act as coxswain for.“to coxswain for a college rowing team”