'bargeman' originates from English, specifically the word 'barge' + 'man', where 'barge' came from Old French 'barge' (from Late Latin 'barca') meaning 'small boat' and 'man' meant 'person'.

'bargeman' changed from earlier English compounds such as 'barge man' (Middle English influenced by Old French 'barge' and Latin 'barca') and eventually became the modern English word 'bargeman'.

Initially, it meant 'a man who worked on a barge', and over time this basic meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.