bridgemastern.
/ˈbrɪdʒˌmɑːstə/, /ˈbrɪdʒˌmastə/, U.S. /ˈbrɪdʒˌmæstər/ An official having control of a bridge.Formerly, in some English boroughs, a member of the corporation.Also called bridgeman.
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society > authority > office > holder of office > public officials > [noun] > official in charge of bridge
bridgemaster1435
bridgeman1508
bridgeward1820
1435 in W. H. Stevenson Rec. Borough Nottingham (1883) II. 360 (MED) A medow plat..quelk ye Bryge Maysters ocupyis.
c1503 R. Arnold Chron. f. l v/1 The said brigmastirs referred all ther maters to the said Samwell.
a1618 W. Raleigh Observ. in Remains (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.
a1749 G. C. Deering Nottinghamia (1751) vi. 107 The Bridgemasters and School-Wardens, are likewise chosen by the Hall annually.
1886 Whitaker's Almanack 260 Officers of the city of London—Elected by the Livery..Bridge Masters.
1932 ‘B. Ross’ Trag. of X i. i. 16 The bridgemaster scratched his gray poll and disappeared into his hut.
2010 Daily Tel. 31 Dec. 5/2 Anne Buckingham, a beekeeper from Farnham, Surrey, and Eric Sutherns, bridgemaster of Tower Bridge, who were both awarded MBEs.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2019; most recently modified version published online December 2021).
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n.1435