sailor

Etymology

Alteration of earlier sailer, from Middle English sailer, sayler, saylere, equivalent to sail + -or. Cognate with German Segler (“sailor”). Eclipsed non-native Middle English marinel, marynell (“sailor”) borrowed from Old French marinel (“sailor”). See mariner.

noun

1. A person in the business of navigating ships or other vessels
2. Someone knowledgeable in the practical management of ships.
   He's a talented sailor and has spent many years at sea.
3. A member of the crew of a vessel; a mariner; a common seaman.
   Mary is a sailor dreaming of northern shores lost galleons on the sea Mary ever on her way 2008, Cécile Corbel (lyrics and music), “Mary”, in Songbook vol. 2 (CD), performed by Cécile Corbel, Brittany: Keltia Musique
4. A person who sails sailing boats as a sport or recreation.
   Coordinate term: yachtsman
5. Any of various nymphalid butterflies of the genera Neptis, Pseudoneptis and Phaedyma, having white markings on a dark base and commonly flying by gliding.