Definition

A person who is responsible for steering a boat or controlling its direction, especially one who operates the tiller.

Example

The tillerman skillfully navigated the boat through the narrow channel.

Conversation

Did you see that fire truck earlier?

Yeah, I did! The tillerman was really skilled at maneuvering it.

I wonder how they train for that job.

It must take a lot of practice to be a good tillerman.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Tillerman → The word originates from Middle English 'tille' (meaning to till or cultivate) and 'man' (meaning a person). A tillerman is a person who tills the land or works in agriculture, specifically related to the cultivation of crops.

Memory Tip

Think of someone who 'tills' the land — that's what a tillerman does, as they are the person responsible for cultivating the soil.

Visually Confused Words