foremast hand; common sailor
Nautical term for an ordinary seaman, specifically one assigned to the foremast. Used in maritime contexts.
When he was young, he worked as a foremast hand on a merchant ship.
Compound of 平 (へい, 'ordinary, common') and 水夫 (すいふ, 'sailor'). The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the term likely originated in the context of traditional sailing ships where crew were assigned to specific masts.