bosman
Preserved but no longer current.
Meaning · English
A farmer: "faking a BOSMAN on the main toby," robbing a farmer on the highway. BOSS, a master.—American. Both terms from the Dutch, BOSCH-MAN, one who lives in the woods; otherwise Boschjeman, or Bushman.
Era: ca. 1874 (Victorian)
Where it’s used:
Origin
British & Irish English
Sources & notes
Historical definition reproduced from Hotten’s The Slang Dictionary (1874, public domain; Project Gutenberg #42108, retrieved 2026-07-31). Reflects the attitudes of its era.
Common questions
What does “bosman” mean?
A farmer: "faking a BOSMAN on the main toby," robbing a farmer on the highway. BOSS, a master.—American. Both terms from the Dutch, BOSCH-MAN, one who lives in the woods; otherwise Boschjeman, or Bushman.
Is “bosman” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.