Yeō'man, n.
n.; pl. YEŌ'MEN. [O. Eng. yeman, perhaps from man, and ye, yes, i. e., the prefix ge, and signifying servant, or ye, yeo, i. e., young, or perhaps from A-S. gymend, governor, for geammann, from geām, care, attention, O. Eng. yeme, A-S. gē-man, gyman, to keep, care, O. Eng. yemen, to govern, to take care of.]
Sense 1. A common man, or one of the plebeians, of the first or most respectable class; a freeholder; a man free born.
☞ 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.
Sense 2. An officer in the king’s household, of a middle rank between a gentleman and a groom. [Eng.]
Sense 3. (Naut.) An inferior officer under the boatswain, gunner, or carpenters, charged with the stowage, account, and distribution of the stores.