Pl. woodsmen. (Chiefly U.S.) [f. wood’s gen. sing. or woods pl. of WOOD sb.1 + MAN sb.1; cf. BACKWOODSMAN.] A man who inhabits, frequents, or ranges the woods, as a huntsman, sportsman, wood-cutter, etc. (cf. WOODMAN1 1, 2, 4); one acquainted with or accustomed to the woods.
1688. Clayton, Virginia, in Phil. Trans., XVIII. 122. There are abundance of brave Red Deer, so that a good Woodsman, as they call them, will keep a House with Venison.
1699. Dampier, Voy., II. II. 86. The Captain … told him … that he was but a sorry Woodsman, and that he would swing him but twice round and he should not guess the way out again.
1755. R. Rogers, Jrnls. (1769), 9. One company of woodsmen or rangers … to make excursions towards the enemy’s forts.
1797. F. Baily, Jrnl. Tour N. Amer. (1856), 358. My companion … was an excellent woodsman; and I … trusted myself to his guidance, well knowing that he would not easily mistake the track.
1817. Scott, Harold, II. xiv. A woodsman thou and hast a spear, And couldst thou such an insult bear? Ibid. (1825), Talism., xxii. The low wail of a dog,… which, as an experienced woodsman, he had no hesitation in recognising to be that of his own faithful hound.
1827. Hood, Plea Mids. Fairies, xlvi. A merry Woodsman, clad in green, Stept vanward from his mates.
1875. Whyte-Melville, Katerfelto, xvi. Rube was far too practical a woodsman to pass such a slot without inquiry.
1896. N. Y. Weekly Witness, 30 Dec., 13/1. The woodsmen were going for the opposite party.
1902. S. E. White, Blazed Trail, vi. A veteran woodsman who had come to swamping in his old age.
