con | conne | cun, v.2
Pronunciation: /kʌn/ /kɒn/
Forms: Also 17
coun.
Etymology: apparently a weakened form of
cond v. used in same sense. (Some think it has been associated with
con v.1 As a possible connection, the following has been cited:1393 J. Gower
Confessio I. 59 They conne nought here shippes stere, i.e. They know not how to steer their ships.
a. trans. To direct the steering of (a ship) from some commanding position on shipboard.
1626 J. Smith
Accidence Young Sea-men 28
Cun the ship, spoune before the winde.
1627 J. Smith
Sea Gram. ix. 41
He that doth cun the ship cannot haue too much iudgement.
1657 R. Ligon
True Hist. Barbados 120
The quarter Master that Conns the ship above.
1671
London Gaz. No. 580/2,
The Officer that cund the ship.
1721–1800 N. Bailey
Universal Etymol. Eng. Dict. (at cited word),
To Cun a Ship, is to direct the Person at Helm how to steer her.
1829
Blackwood's Edinb. Mag. 26 730
Shoals, through which the 'Mudian pilot cunned the ship with great skill.
1853 E. K. Kane
U.S. Grinnell Exped. xxiii. 185
Our captain, who was conning the ship from the fore-top-sail yard.
1867 W. H. Smyth
Sailor's Word-bk.,
Conn, Con, or
Cun, as pronounced by seamen.
1883 R. L. Stevenson
Treasure Island I. iii. xiii. 104
Long John stood by the steersman and conned the ship.