E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Grommet, Gromet, Grumet, or Grummet.
A younker on board ship. In Smith’s Sea Grammar we are told that “younkers are the young men whose duty it is to take in the topsails, or top the yard for furling the sails or slinging the yards… .” “Sailors,” he says, “are the elder men.” Gromet is the Flemish grom (a boy), with the diminutive. It appears in bride-groom, etc. Also a ring of rope made by laying a single strand. (Dana: Seaman’s Manual, p. 98.) Also a powder-wad.
