Merchantman (noun)

A ship used in trade, especially a sailing ship of the 18th and 19th centuries.

Origin:

From middle english marchauntman, from old english mǣrċeantmann, equivalent to mǣrċeant ("merchant") + mann ("ma.n")

Examples:

1. The merchantman was loaded with valuable cargo.
2. The crew of the merchantman had to fend off pirates on their journey.
3. The merchantman was an important part of the colonial trade system.
4. The merchantman sailed across the ocean for months at a time.
5. Merchantmen were often targets of privateers during wartime.