yeoman

Etymology

From Middle English yoman, yeman, from Old English *ġēamann, from Proto-West Germanic *gauwjamann (compare Old Frisian gāman (“villager”), Middle Dutch goymann (“arbiter”)), compound of Proto-West Germanic *gawi (“shire, district”) (compare Old English -ġē, -ġēa (“district, region”) (in ælġē, Sūþriġēa), West Frisian gea, goa, Dutch gouw, German Gau) + *mann (“man”).

noun

1. (UK) An official providing honorable service in a royal or high noble household, ranking between a squire and a page. Especially, a yeoman of the guard, a member of a ceremonial bodyguard to the UK monarch (not to be confused with a Yeoman Warder).
2. (US) A dependable, diligent, or loyal worker or someone who does a great service.
3. (historical) A former class of small freeholders who farm their own land; a commoner of good standing.
4. A subordinate, deputy, aide, or assistant.
5. A Yeoman Warder.
6. A clerk in the US Navy, and US Coast Guard.
7. (nautical) In a vessel of war, the person in charge of the storeroom.
8. A member of the Yeomanry Cavalry, officially chartered in 1794 originating around the 1760s.
9. A member of the Imperial Yeomanry, officially created in 1890s and renamed in 1907.
10. Any of various nymphalid butterflies of the genus Cirrochroa, of Asia and Australasia.