Old, traditional name for Sea Captain?

Hello everyone! A friend of mine has presented me with a mystery I can’t solve, and hoped maybe you guys could help.

We were told by 2 separate people, in creating a gift for a friend who has just bought a boat, that an old traditional maritime name for a ships captain was ‘yous’, (pronounced the same as ‘use’). Has any one ever heard of this, as extensive research has brought up nothing.
I have assumed it is a derivative of Latin ’ capitaneus’, but am unwilling to put it on an expensive boat warming present, if it is indeed a load of old cobblers!
Any help would be appreciated!