However, a convergent etymology does involve reference to cock fighting. The same term later came to designate the place from which a sailing vessel is steered, because it is also located in the rear, and is often in a well or "pit". Thus by the 18th century, "cockpit" had come to designate an area in the rear lower deck of a warship where the wounded were taken. The midshipmen and master's mates were later berthed in the cockpit, and it served as the action station for the ship's surgeon and his mates during battle. The word "cockswain" in turn derives from the old English terms for "boat-servant" ( coque is the French word for "shell" and swain was old English for boy or servant). ![]() It referred to an area in the rear of a ship where the cockswain's station was located, the cockswain being the pilot of a smaller "boat" that could be dispatched from the ship to board another ship or to bring people ashore. ![]() The word cockpit seems to have been used as a nautical term in the 17th century, without reference to cock fighting.
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