The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Merchantman \Mer"chant*man\, n.; pl. Merchantmen. [1913 Webster] 1. A merchant. [Obs.] --Matt. xiii. 45. [1913 Webster] 2. A trading vessel; a ship employed in the transportation of goods, as, distinguished from a man-of-war. [1913 Webster]