noun
waterman
noun
1
A person who works on the water, especially rowing or ferrying passengers by boat.
"The waterman rowed passengers across the river for a small fee."
2
Someone highly skilled across multiple ocean sports, such as surfing, diving, and paddling.
"He's considered one of the great watermen of his generation, equally at home surfing big waves or free-diving."
How to Use Waterman
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomeone who works or excels on the water, whether historically as a boatman or today as an all-around ocean athlete.
Word Forms
watermen plural, Watermans plural
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The _____ rowed passengers across the river for a small fee.
Etymology
From Middle English, simply "water" plus "man" — a man whose trade was on the water.