bandsman

English

Etymology

From band +‎ -s- +‎ -man.

Noun

bandsman (plural bandsmen)

1. A player in a musical band, especially a military or brass band.
   • 1973, Cecil Parrott, Translator's introduction to Jaroslav Hašek, The Good Soldier Švejk, London: William Heinemann, p. xxi,

     If the reader finds a certain monotony in the words chosen by the translator I hope he will realize that the bandsman has to operate within the limits of his instrument.

   • 2005, E. L. Doctorow, The March, New York: Random House, Part One, p. 28:

     It was military bandsmen, their uniform coats unbuttoned, who supplied the merry tune, from a clarinet, a tuba, a fife.

2. (mining, historical) A labourer (loader) working with a band of men.