A woman who operates a bumboat and sells provisions to sailors on ships in harbor.
From 'bumboat' plus the agent suffix '-woman,' the feminine equivalent of 'bumboatman,' reflecting the role of women in maritime commerce.
Historical records from 19th-century Asian ports show bumboatwomen were often dominant traders—they were shrewder negotiators and built stronger relationships with ship captains than their male counterparts.
Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.