1. a person who throws or fires a harpoon, especially one employed on a whaling ship
Usage: nautical; historical

Examples

• The harpooner stood at the bow, harpoon in hand, waiting for the whale to surface.
• In the 19th century, harpooners were skilled and highly valued crew members on whaling vessels.
• The experienced harpooner aimed carefully before releasing the harpoon into the water.
• Harpooners risked their lives hunting large marine mammals in dangerous ocean conditions.
• The ship's harpooner had successfully caught three whales during the voyage.