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Webster 1913 Edition


Fisherman

Fish′er-man

,
Noun.
;
pl.
Fishermen
.
1.
One whose occupation is to catch fish.
2.
(Naut.)
A ship or vessel employed in the business of taking fish, as in the cod fishery.

Webster 1828 Edition


Fisherman

FISH'ERMAN

, n.
1.
One whose occupation is to catch fish.
2.
A ship or vessel employed in the business of taking fish, as in the cod and whale fishery.

Definition 2024


fisherman

fisherman

English

Noun

fisherman (plural fishermen)

  1. A fisher, a person engaged in fishing:
    1. Any person who attempts to catch fish.
      The fisherman cast his line.
    2. A person whose profession is catching fish.
      He is a fisherman, out on a trawler for days at a time.
  2. A boat used for commercial fishing.
    • 1938, Cecil Ernest Lucas Phillips, Cromwell's Captains, page 196:
      They tortured and put to death English factors in the Spice Islands; they descended upon the fisheries of the North Sea in huge fleets escorted by men-of-war that attacked and sank the fishermen of other nations
    • 1987, John Rousmaniere, ‎Cruising Club of America. Technical Committee, Desirable and Undesirable Characteristics of Offshore Yachts, page 26:
      Such boats should not have been fast, but the better fishermen — particularly John Alden's designs - [] won a big share of the offshore and coastwise races

Usage notes

Formerly the more common term, "fisherman" is now often replaced by the older fisher, to be more inclusive of female catchers of fish.

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