Obs. Forms: 1 ládmann, 5 lodman, ladman. [OE. ládmann, f. lád LODE + mann MAN sb. Cf. LODESMAN.] In OE., a leader, guide; in later use only spec. a pilot.
c. 1000. Ælfric, Num. x. 31. Þu canst weʓas ʓeond þæt westen; ac beo ure ladmann.
c. 1385. Chaucer, L. G. W. (MS. Camb. Gg. 4. 27), 1485. Hypsip. If they were brokyn or ought wo begon Or haddyn nede of lodman [MS. Arch. Seld. ladman] or vitayle.
a. 1500. Piers of Fullham, 260, in Hazl., E. P. P., II. 11. The lode man above that schuld sownd yerne Lakyth brayn, and also the lanterne ys owt.
1536. trans. Laws of Oleron, in Black Bk. Admiralty (Rolls), I. 129. If a ship is lost by default of the lodeman, the maryners may … bring the lodeman to the windlass or any other place, and cut off his head.
