\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.
3. Direction; regulation; management; guidance.
         He that hath the steerage of my course. --Shak.
4. That by which a course is directed. [R.]
         Here he hung on high, The steerage of his wings.
                                               --Dryden.
{Steerage passenger}, a passenger who takes passage in the
   steerage of a vessel.