lithsman

English

Etymology

A learned borrowing from Old English liþsmann (“seafarer, sailor, seaman; pirate”), related to Old Norse liðsmaðr.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): / ˈlithsmən/

Noun

lithsman (plural lithsmen)

1. (historical) A warrior-sailor during the rule of Danish kings of England (especially from Canute onwards).
   • 1866, Charles Kingsley, Hereward the Wake, London: Nelson, page 9:

     [H]e succeeded, by the help of the thanes north of Thames, and the lithsmen of London, which city was more than half Danish in those days, in setting his puppet on the throne.