a seaman of the lowest rank, being insufficiently experienced to be an able-bodied seaman
ordinary seaman in American English
a merchant seaman of less experience than, and ranking below, an able-bodied seaman
ordinary seaman in American English
noun
a seaman insufficiently skilled to be classified as an able-bodied seaman
Abbreviation: O.D., O.S., o.s.
Word origin
[1695–1705]This word is first recorded in the period 1695–1705. Other words that entered Englishat around the same time include: assemblage, mimosa, telescopic, thoroughbred, veneer