Jungmann (deckhand, ordinary seaman); cf. also German Junker <= jung[er] Herr. This etymology provides a plausible semantic link from yongerman to youngman, while at the same time providing most of the earliest definitions of yeoman.

Chambers Dictionary of Etymology

The Chambers Dictionary of Etymology (CDE) is another well-respected scholarly source, as it is published by the same company which produces The Chambers Dictionary.

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