quartermaster
n. countablen. an officer who is in charge of providing food, clothes, and equipment for a group of soldiers or sailors. On a ship, this person might also be responsible for steering and navigation.
n. a military or naval officer responsible for the provision of supplies, quarters, and equipment. In a naval context, the role specifically involves steering the vessel and maintaining navigational equipment.
The quartermaster issued new boots to the soldiers.
After the long voyage, the quartermaster spent the week auditing the remaining food stores and ordering fresh supplies.
In the traditional naval hierarchy, the quartermaster stood watch on the bridge, ensuring the helmsman maintained the correct course while keeping meticulous records in the ship's log.
From Middle English quartermayster, quartermaistre, equivalent to quarter + master. Perhaps reinforced by and merged with Dutch kwartiermeester, kwartier-meester. Compare German Quartiermeister, French quartier-maître.
Commonly used in military and maritime contexts; often abbreviated to 'QM' in informal military writing.