Reeve
/riːv/noun
An old English local official or steward, especially one who managed an estate or district.
Did you know?Reeve is the same ancient word behind “sheriff” in Old English phraseology, since the shire-reeve was the king’s local enforcer.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*gerh₂-
“to enclose, surround, or encircle”
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
*rēbōną / *rībijaz
“to bind, arrange, or order”
Old English
English
rēfa
“a local official, steward, or reeve”
Middle English
English
reve
“an estate manager or local magistrate”
Modern English
English
reeve
“an old title for a local official or steward”