'afterguard' originates from the English words 'after' and 'guard', where 'after' refers to the rear part of a ship and 'guard' refers to a group of people responsible for a specific task.

'afterguard' has remained relatively unchanged in its form and meaning since its inception in nautical terminology.

Initially, it meant 'crew stationed at the rear of a ship', and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.