*desma*

{ } n.; pl. -men A poor man, supported in a beadhouse, and required to pray for the soul of its founder; an almsman. [ 1913 Webster ]

Whereby ye shall bind me to be your poor beadsman for ever unto Almighty God. Fuller. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. A female friend who attends on a bride at her wedding. [ 1913 Webster ]

n.; pl. Bridesmen A male friend who attends upon a bridegroom and bride at their marriage; the “best man.” Sir W. Scott. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Cf. Sw. desman musk. ] (Zool.) An amphibious, insectivorous mammal found in Russia (Myogale moschata). It is allied to the moles, but is called muskrat by some English writers. [ Written also dæsman. ]

{ , n. [ Load, lode + man. See Lode. ] A pilot. [ Obs. ] Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. Same as Loadsman. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

n.; pl. Sidesmen 1. A party man; a partisan. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. An assistant to the churchwarden; a questman. [ 1913 Webster ]

n.; pl. Tidesmen A customhouse officer who goes on board of a merchant ship to secure payment of the duties; a tidewaiter. [ 1913 Webster ]