noun

marksman

MARKS-mun/ˈmɑːrksmən/

A person skilled at shooting accurately.

The marksman hits the center of the target every time.

White woman sport rifle shooter with hearing and eye protection at safe target range, tight grouping in bullseye visible, barrel points only downrange.

Etymology

markMiddle Englishtarget

+sEnglishgenitive linking ending

+manOld Englishperson

Here the mark is a target, not a trace left by a shot. The compound identifies a person by skill at hitting that mark, whether with a bow or a gun.

In context

Enhanced Public Domain211:41

of those newfangled Mouser revolvers and he wanted to try it but before he had the Mouser out of its Scabbard he was shot twice sigismondo was a pretty fair Marksman himself alambra was shot in the face

1800s Philosophy: Mark Twain's Anti-Imperialist Writings (Audiobook)

More examples

She trains with an experienced marksman at the range.
The team's best marksmen compete in the national championship.
A skilled marksman can hit a distant target with a bow.

Forms

marksman · marksmen

marksmanship noun — Skill in shooting accurately at a target.

Similar words

sharpshooter: Usually emphasizes exceptional accuracy, often in military or competitive shooting.
sniper: Specifically refers to someone shooting from a concealed position.