pitmen

Noun

pitman (plural pitmans or pitmen)

1. (plural "pitmen") One who works in a pit, as in mining, in sawing timber, etc.
   • The train proceeded to North Pittington Colliery, 600 yd. away, where the Duke viewed the new winning, examined the pumping and drawing engines, and saw how pitmen descended and ascended the shaft.1948 January and February, “Notes and News: Duke of Wellington's Early Railway Journey”, in Railway Magazine, page 55
2. A connecting rod in machinery, especially in a sawmill.
   • I also claim the combination of the separator shaft with the shoe, and with the pitman, for the purpose of imparting to it a recriprocating horizontal movement, and a vibratory movement on its axis at the same time,...1847, editorial staff, “Winnowing Machines”, in Scientific American, series 1, Volume 3, Issue 9, page 68

See all 6 meanings of pitman