What is a Merchantman?

A merchantman is an old-fashioned term for a merchant ship, which is a vessel that carries goods or cargo for sale. The term "merchantman" was commonly used in the past to refer to any type of ship that was engaged in trade, but it has largely fallen out of use in modern times.

In the context of maritime law, a merchantman is a ship that is owned by a merchant and is used for commercial purposes, such as transporting goods or passengers. The term "merchantman" is often used interchangeably with "trader," although some sources may distinguish between the two terms.

It's worth noting that the term "merchantman" has also been used historically to refer to a ship that is engaged in illegal activities, such as smuggling or piracy. In this context, the term is often used pejoratively to describe a ship that is engaging in illicit activities.