text: what is a bowsman? it's in reference to a navy title, not a person who fights with bow and arrow. it's a boatswain's mate. below you'll find a link to the navy's description. it's an enlisted rating, not an officer program. usually as seaman apprentice.   you know in a movie when you hear a whistle (pipe)? that would be a boatswain's mate piping the officer aboard. and the other answer was correct, it's usually pronounced bosun's mate.   the second link i posted below sesm to have a lot of information from a former boatswain's mate.