noun
- a sailor, especially one of low rank
Usage: informal; nautical
Examples
- The old swabby told stories of his adventures at sea.
- Every swabby on deck was ordered to scrub the floors.
- The captain addressed the swabbies before they set sail.
- He worked as a swabby on merchant ships for ten years.
- The swabby mopped the deck in the early morning.
- Young swabbies learned the ropes from experienced sailors.