Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Steerage \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.