From Middle English seeman, seman, from Old English sǣmann.

• IPA: /ˈsiːmən/

seaman (plural seamen)

1. Synonym of sailor, particularly on a maritime vessel.
2. (British, Navy) A person of the lowest rank in the Navy, below able seaman.
3. (US, Navy) An enlisted rate in the United States Navy and United States Coast Guard, ranking below petty officer third class and above seaman apprentice.
4. A merman; the male of the mermaid.
   • 1689 (indicated as 1690), [John Locke], An Essay Concerning Humane Understanding. […], London: […] Eliz[abeth] Holt, for Thomas Basset, […], →OCLC ↗:
     , Book III

     not to mention what is confidently reported of mermaids, or sea-men

• AB

• French: matelot
• German: Matrose
• Russian: матро́с

From seaman.

1. Surname.