Etymology

gangsman

G2A1N1G2S1M3A1N1

Today it means: A member of a gang of workers, especially at a dock; a dock porter. Full definition →

First used 18th c.
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The story

From gang + -s- + -man.

First known use, by meaning

  • from 18th c. A member of a gang of workers, especially at a dock; a dock porter.
  • from 19th c. Someone in charge of a gang of workers; a foreman.
  • from 20th c. A gangster.

Etymology from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.