'bargemaster' originates from Modern English, specifically the compound 'barge' + 'master', where 'barge' meant 'a flat-bottomed boat' and 'master' meant 'person in charge'.

'barge' derives from Old French 'barge' and Medieval Latin 'barca' meaning 'boat', while 'master' comes from Old English via Latin 'magister'; the two elements combined in Modern English to form 'bargemaster'.

Initially it meant 'the master of a barge', and this meaning has been retained in modern usage.