Now rare. Forms: 1–2 stéorman, 3 steorman, 5 ster man, stereman, 6 Sc. steirman, 7 steereman, 7– steerman. [f. STEER sb.2 + MAN sb. Cf. Du. stuurman, MLG. stûreman, MHG. stiurman (mod.G. steuermann), ON. stýrimað-r, (Sw. styrman, Da. styrmand). The Teut. word was adopted in OF. as esturman, estrumant.] A steersman.
c. 1000. Ælfric, Hom., II. 569. Hera ðone steorman ac na swa-ðeah ærðan ðe he becume ʓesundful to þære hyðe.
c. 1205. Lay., 28436. And nom alle þa scipen … and þa steormen alle to þan scipen neodde.
c. 1470. Henry, Wallace, IX. 121. Bathe schip maistir, and the ster man also, In the holl, but baid, he gert thaim go.
1586. Reg. Privy Council Scot., IV. 79. The foirsaidis personis furnissand steirmen thairto thameselffis.
1663. Gerbier, Counsel, d 4 b. My Steerman found the Ebb and Flood all along the Coast of America.
1725. Pope, Odyss., XIV. 287. Safe through the level seas we sweep our way; The steer-man governs, and the ships obey.
1892. Stevenson & L. Osbourne, Wrecker, xii. Suppose the steerman’s eye to have wandered.
fig. c. 1460. Towneley Myst., iii. 427. Help, god, in this nede! As thou art stere-man … best, as I rede.
1591. Sylvester, Du Bartas, I. i. 117. Their Star the Bible, Steer-man th’ holy Ghost.
1638. Sir T. Herbert, Trav. (ed. 2), 206. No sooner was old Abbas by bold death struck from the helme of Persia; and young Soffy his Grand-sonne made the royall Stear-man, but [etc.].
