A yeoman is a noun that originally referred either to one who owns and cultivates land or to the middle ranks of servants in an English royal or noble household. The term was first documented in mid-14th-century England. Here are some key points about yeoman:

• Yeoman is a word specific to the regional dialects found in England.
• Yeoman is a compound word made by joining two other words: yeo + man.
• During the 14th century, it referred to a servant or attendant in a royal or noble household, usually one who was of higher rank in the household hierarchy.
• Most yeomen of the later Middle Ages were probably occupied in cultivating the land.
• In the US Navy, a yeoman (YN) is a petty officer who performs clerical and personnel security and general administrative duties.

In summary, a yeoman is a term that has been used to describe a variety of roles throughout history, from landowners to servants to naval officers.