Your browser does not seem to support JavaScript. As a result, your viewing experience will be diminished, and you have been placed in read-only mode.
Please download a browser that supports JavaScript, or enable it if it's disabled (i.e. NoScript).
Formerly, an interior officer on board of British ships of war, whose business it was to see that the ship was kept clean.
Share your knowledge with the community
Browse our collection of 300,000+ community-written definitions
