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.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)