An officer having control of a bridge: formerly, in some English boroughs, a regular member of the corporation; also called bridgeman.
1502. Arnold, Chron., 135. The said brigmastirs referred all ther maters to the said Samwell.
a. 1618. Raleigh, Observ., in Rem. (1661), 179. From any Port Town … the Bridgemaster or the Wharfmaster … will deliver a true Note of the number of Lasts of Herrings brought to their Wharfes.
1683. Lond. Gaz., No. 1860/3. The Warden, Steward, Bridgemasters, Burgesses, and other Inhabitants of the Town and Corporation of Maidenhead.
1810. Wellington, Lett., in Gurw., Disp., V. 444. In respect to the Bridges … there is a Bridge-Master at Abrantes who has charge of them all.
1886. Whitaker’s Almanac, 260. Officers of the city of London—Elected by the Livery … bridge Masters.
