Argonaut

[ahr-guh-nawt, -not] /ˈɑr gəˌnɔt, -ˌnɒt/
noun
1.
Classical Mythology. a member of the band of men who sailed to Colchis with Jason in the ship Argo in search of the Golden Fleece.
2.
(sometimes lowercase) a person in quest of something dangerous but rewarding; adventurer.
3.
a person who moved to California during the gold rush of 1849.
4.
(lowercase) paper nautilus.
Origin
< Latin Argonauta < Greek Argonaútēs crewman of the ship Argo; see nautical
Related forms
Argonautic, adjective
British Dictionary definitions for Argonaut

Argonaut

/ˈɑːɡəˌnɔːt/
noun
1.
(Greek myth) one of the heroes who sailed with Jason in quest of the Golden Fleece
2.
a person who took part in the Californian gold rush of 1849
3.
another name for the paper nautilus
Derived Forms
Argonautic, adjective
Word Origin
C16: from Greek Argonautēs, from Argō the name of Jason's ship + nautēs sailor
Word Origin and History for Argonaut
n.

"sailor of the Argo," 1580s (implied in argonautic), from Argo + Greek nautes "sailor" (see naval). Adventurers in the California Gold Rush of 1848 were called argonauts (because they sought the golden fleece) by those who stayed home.