Definition of "merchantman" []

• Nautical A ship used in commerce. (noun)
• Archaic A merchant. (noun)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

• "One day the lookout called a merchantman bearing to the west."
• "A merchantman is the craft he inclines to -- at least, to make a beginning with -- especially one that trades from port to port, visiting many lands; for, in truth, his leaning toward a sea life has much to do with a desire to see the world and its wonders."
• "Blackwall and viewed the dock and the new Wet dock, which is newly made there, and a brave new merchantman which is to be launched shortly, and they say to be called the Royal Oak."