The Forgotten Term for a Ship's Captain: Cockswain

Cockswain is an archaic term for the captain or commander of a ship. It was commonly used in the 17th and 18th centuries, but has largely fallen out of use today. The word "cock" in this context likely originated from the Old Norse word "kok," which meant "leader" or "chief." Over time, the term evolved into "cockswain," which was used to refer to the leader or captain of a ship's crew.

In modern times, the term "cockswain" is mostly used in historical or nautical contexts, and is often seen as a quaint or old-fashioned term for a ship's captain. It is not a commonly used term in modern English, and is not widely recognized or understood outside of specialized contexts.