loodsman

Dutch

Etymology

From Middle English lodesman, from Old English lādmann (“guide”). The first part lād (“journey”), from Proto-Germanic *laidō, the second part mann (“man”), from Proto-Germanic *mann-. In modern usage, the word is commonly analysed as loods +‎ man, but the word loods is historically a back-formation from this word.

Pronunciation

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Noun

loodsman m (plural loodsmannen, diminutive loodsmannetje n)

1. (navigation) pilot, expert who helps navigate to the harbor or coast
2. (by extension) guide

Synonyms

• loods