a person who practices Carpentry. The word is formed from the French charpentier, which signifies the same, formed of charpente, which denotes timber; or rather from the Latin carpentarius, a maker of carpenta, or carriages.

Carpenter of a Ship, an officer appointed to examine and keep in order the frame of a ship, together with her masts, yards, boats, and all other wooden machinery. It is his duty in particular to keep the ship tight; for which purpose he ought frequently to review the decks and sides, and to caulk them when it is necessary. In the time of battle, he is to examine up and down, with all possible attention, in the lower apartments of the ship, to stop any holes that may have been made by shot, with wooden plugs provided of several sizes.