n. [ Boat + swain. ]
Boatswain's mate,
n. [ Cock a boat + swain; hence, the master of a boat. ] The steersman of a boat; a petty officer who has charge of a boat and its crew. [ 1913 Webster ]
n. See Cockswain. [ 1913 Webster ]
n. [ From Dag a loose end? ] A coarse woolen fabric made of daglocks, or the refuse of wool. “Under coverlets made of dagswain.” Holinshed. [ 1913 Webster ]
n. [ OE. swain, swein, Icel. sveinn a boy, servant; akin to Sw. sven, Dan. svend, AS. swān, OHG. swein. ]
Him behoves serve himself that has no swain. Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ]
It were a happy life
To be no better than a homely swain. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]
Blest swains! whose nymphs in every grace excel. Pope. [ 1913 Webster ]
a. Pertaining to, or resembling, a swain; rustic; ignorant. “An ungentle and swainish beast.” Milton. --
n. A little swain. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]
n. [ Swain + mote meeting: cf. LL. swanimotum. ] (Eng. Forest Law) A court held before the verders of the forest as judges, by the steward of the court, thrice every year, the swains, or freeholders, within the forest composing the jury.
n. The condition of a swain. [ 1913 Webster ]