to staff or equip something with people, usually referring to providing people to operate or defend something.
From 'be-' plus 'man'. Historically used in military contexts meaning to supply with soldiers or crew members for a vessel or fortification.
This word survived much longer than many 'be-' verbs because navies and armies actually needed it—'man the cannons' is still used today, but 'beman the fortress' quietly disappeared as English evolved.
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