yeoman

n.; pl. Yeomen [ OE. yoman, &yogh_;eman, &yogh_;oman; of uncertain origin; perhaps the first, syllable is akin to OFries. gā district, region, G. gau, OHG. gewi, gouwi, Goth. gawi. √100. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

1. A common man, or one of the commonly of the first or most respectable class; a freeholder; a man free born. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ A yeoman in England is considered as next in order to the gentry. The word is little used in the United States, unless as a title in law proceedings and instruments, designating occupation, and this only in particular States. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A servant; a retainer. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

A yeman hadde he and servants no mo. Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. A yeoman of the guard; also, a member of the yeomanry cavalry. [ Eng. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

4. (Naut.) An interior officer under the boatswain, gunner, or carpenters, charged with the stowage, account, and distribution of the stores. [ 1913 Webster ]

Yeoman of the guard, one of the bodyguard of the English sovereign, consisting of the hundred yeomen, armed with partisans, and habited in the costume of the sixteenth century. They are members of the royal household. [ 1913 Webster ]