MATROSS  , the name (now obsolete) for a soldier of See also:

• ARTILLERY (the O. Fr. artiller, to equip with engines of war, probably comes from Late Lat. articulum, dim. of ars, art, cf. " engine " from ingenium, or of artus, joint)

artillery, who ranked next below a See also:

• GUNNER, or MASTER GUNNER

gunner . The See also:

• DUTY (from " due," that which is owing, O. Fr. deu, dil, past participle of devoir; Lat. debere, debitum; cf. " debt ")

duty of a matross was to assist the gunners in loading, firing and sponging the guns . They were provided with firelocks, and marched with the See also:

• STORE (from O. Fr. estor or estoire, Late Lat. staurum or instaurum, stock, provisions, supply, from the late use of instaurare, to provide, properly to construct, renew, restore)

store-wagons, acting as See also:

• GUARDS, AND HOUSEHOLD TROOPS

guards . In the See also:

• AMERICAN

American See also:

• ARMY
• ARMY (from Fr. armee, Lat. armata)

army a matross ranked as a private of artillery . The word is probably derived from Fr. matelot, a sailor .