Obs. [a. F. contre-maistre ‘the Master’s mate in a ship’ (Cotgr.), in Sp. contramaestre: see CONTRA- 3.] A boatswain.
1726. Shelvocke, Voy. round W., 124. The Contre-Mastre, or Boatswain of her had not been aboard of us above two hours. Ibid. (1757), 341. There was none killed on board of her, but the Contre-master.
c. 1790. J. Willock, Voy., iv. 105. Soon after, the boatswain or countermaster (as the word in their language signifies) … came up to us.
