Definitions

from The Century Dictionary.

  • noun In men-of-war, that division of the crew which is stationed on the quarter-deck to work the after-sails, etc., generally composed of ordinary seamen and landsmen who are not required to go aloft; hence, a drudge; one occupying an inferior position.

from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.

  • noun (Naut.) The seaman or seamen stationed on the poop or after part of the ship, to attend the after-sails.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • noun sailing The members of a yacht's crew who attend to the aft sails

Etymologies

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

after +‎ guard

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Examples

  • When his back was turned from them the sailors indulged in grins and back-slappings and other rough demonstrations of their knowledge that the "afterguard" were not on agreeable terms.

    Isle o' Dreams Frederick Ferdinand Moore 1930

  • And further, it would be well to be near the afterguard in whatever troubles that were sure to arise under such circumstances in the days to come.

    Chapter 19 2010

  • We of the afterguard are weary of this eternal buffeting.

    CHAPTER XXXVII 2010

  • While the calm held, the Eniel ran quiet as a dream: her captain hated needless bellowing, calling it the poor pilot's surrogate for leadership, and merely gestured to the afterguard when the time came to tack for shore.

    Excerpt: The Red Wolf Conspiracy by Robert Redick 2009

  • He is more my own kind, and some day he will make a henchman of the afterguard and a mate like Mr. Pike.

    CHAPTER XXXV 2010

  • In reply, we of the afterguard pointed out that it was our chance for life that was doubled did we but bear with the half-pound ration.

    Chapter 19 2010

  • Besides, I understand that every forecastle has its bully, or group of bullies; so this is merely a forecastle matter and no concern of the afterguard.

    CHAPTER XVII 2010

  • And further, it would be well to be near the afterguard in whatever troubles that were sure to arise under such circumstances in the days to come.

    Chapter 19 2010

  • In reply, we of the afterguard pointed out that it was our chance for life that was doubled did we but bear with the half-pound ration.

    Chapter 19 2010

  • They ain't never goin 'to forgive me, sir, for joinin' in with the afterguard.

    CHAPTER L 2010

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