seafolk

English

Etymology

From sea +‎ folk.

Noun

seafolk pl (plural only)

1. Merpeople.
2. People who live near the sea and make a traditional living from it.
   • 1999, Lindsay Ride, May Ride, Jason Wordie, The Voices of Macao Stones:

     The early boat people of south China, like most seafolk the world over, were highly religious, and invariably burned incense and made thank-offerings to their sea-goddess on their safe return from a successful venture afloat […]