[1540–50; pike2 + -man]This word is first recorded in the period 1540–50. Other words that entered Englishat around the same time include: cabinet, gondola, labyrinth, mandate, vacuum-man is a combining form, used in the formation of compound words indicating a man ofa certain type or with a certain job. Other words that use the affix -man include: corpsman, freshman, lineman, marksman, ombudsman