merchant marine

Noun

 * : a fleet of commercial vessels.
 * : a single vessel in such a fleet.
 * : a sailor in such a fleet.
 * : a sailor in such a fleet.

Usage notes
The merchant mariner sense is a catachresis born of misconception, influenced by the notion that as a marine is a naval infantryman, a merchant marine would be a single commercial sailor; thus come catachrestic phrases such as he joined the merchant marines [sic]. But the sense is common enough that it is often accepted politely without objection in casual conversation.

Translations

 * Dutch:, ,
 * French:, marin marchand