Maat (rank)

Maat ([ˈmaːt], lit. 'mate') is a naval rank, of German origin, used by a number of countries. The term is derived from the low German māt (comrade).^[1] Via the Dutch language, the word became a nautical term and described the assistant to a deck officer. Since the second half of the 17th century Maate were the lowest class of non-commissioned officers aboard a warship.