engineman

Etymology

engine + -man

noun

1. (dated) A man who operates, manages, and maintains an engine.
   The engineman having only to turn two cocks, so as to connect the steam with the one or the other vessel." 1879, John Sutherland Sinclair, Earl of Caithness, Lectures on Popular and Scientific Subjects
   It was only when I sat, an hour later, disgustedly reflecting on this incident, that I remembered that there was always some 'hand-working' of the engine during the cage-descents, an engineman reversing the action by a handle at every stroke of the piston, to prevent bumping. 1901, M.P. Shiel, The Purple Cloud
   As an aid to this end, and that the railroad companies may derive the highest efficiency from the man employed as a locomotive engineman, a code of questions is given him, and it is expected that the preparation necessary to correctly answer the questions will indicate how well he has progressed. 1911, anonymous author, The Traveling Engineers' Association
   A few keen enginemen, such as Driver Rosewarne of York, could coax good work out of them when engaged in heavy East Coast express service, but to most footplate crews, especially firemen, they were rather heartbreaking and backbreaking machines, and gradually were relegated to secondary or fast goods duties. 1949 May and June, R. A. H. Weight, “A Short-Lived Pacific Class”, in Railway Magazine, page 196
   At one corner of the room three enginemen were lost in serious discussion; in other corners, mécaniciens and chauffeurs were quietly talking, playing draughts, reading or eating. 1961 March, 'Balmore', “Driving and firing modern French steam locomotives”, in Trains Illustrated, page 147
2. (derived from earlier sense) A navy sailor who operates, manages, and maintains engines and various other shipboard equipment (such as one with the United States Navy EN occupational rating).