Definitions
from The Century Dictionary.
- noun On a man-of-war, a member of a gun's crew detailed to fetch powder for the gun.
- noun A man in charge of explosives in an operation of any nature requiring their use.
Etymologies
Sorry, no etymologies found.
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Examples
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The foul wind prevented the squadron making much way, but the time was employed to advantage in constant exercise at the guns, and the men were brought as near to perfection as they could be; in handling them each man knew his own duty, as well as that of the captain of the gun, fireman, boarder, powder-man, rammer, &c.
The Mirror of Literature, Amusement, and Instruction Volume 13, No. 377, June 27, 1829 Various
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The powder-man will thus always find at the scuttle the proper passing-box.
Ordnance Instructions for the United States Navy. 1866. Fourth edition. United States. Navy Dept. Bureau of Ordnance
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SHOWING THE NUMBER OF HANDS (_powder-man or boy included_) APPLICABLE
Ordnance Instructions for the United States Navy. 1866. Fourth edition. United States. Navy Dept. Bureau of Ordnance
chained_bear commented on the word powder-man
"They stood or knelt in their set positions—the powder-man with his cartridge-box directly behind his gun far to larboard; the gun-heavers right against the ship's side with handspike or crowbar away from it..."
--Patrick O'Brian, The Truelove, 218
March 11, 2008