boater
UK: ˈbəʊtə | US: ˈboʊtər
n. 1. A person who travels or spends time in a boat.
n. 2. A stiff straw hat with a flat crown and brim, traditionally worn for boating or summer occasions.
The word "boater" combines "boat," derived from Old English "bāt" (a small vessel for water travel), with the agentive suffix "-er," indicating a person or object linked to the root action or noun. Originally referring to someone who boats, the term later extended to describe the iconic straw hat worn by boaters in the late 19th/early 20th century, reflecting its association with leisurely water activities.
The boater skillfully navigated the narrow river channels.
He tipped his boater hat to greet the passing crowd.
Vintage photographs show women in striped dresses paired with boaters.
The boater lost his hat when a sudden gust of wind blew it into the water.
Modern boaters often wear the hat as a fashion statement rather than for practical use.