Steer, n. [AS. steór, stiór; akin to D. stuur, G. steuer, Icel.
st&?;ri. √186. See Steer, v. t.] [Written also stere.] A rudder
or helm. [Obs.] Chaucer.
Steer, n. [AS. steóra. See Steer a rudder.] A helmsman, a pilot. [Obs.]
Chaucer.
Steer"a*ble (?), a. Capable of being steered; dirigible.
Steer"age (?), n. 1. The act or practice of steering, or directing; as,
the steerage of a ship.
He left the city, and, in a most tempestuous season, forsook the
helm and steerage of the common wealth.
Milton.
2. (Naut.) (a) The effect of the helm on a ship; the manner in which an
individual ship is affected by the helm. (b) The hinder part of a
vessel; the stern. [R.] Swift. (c) Properly, the space in the after
part of a vessel, under the cabin, but used generally to indicate any
part of a vessel having the poorest accommodations and occupied by
passengers paying the lowest rate of fare.