reeve1
n.
- historical a local official, in particular the chief magistrate of a town or district in Anglo-Saxon England.
- Canadian the elected leader of a village or town council.
Etymology
OE rēfa; rel. to grieve2.
reeve2
v.
(past and past part. rove or reeved)
Nautical thread (a rope or rod) through a ring or other aperture.
Etymology
C17: prob. from Du. reven (see reef2).
reeve3
Etymology
C17: var. of dial. ree, of unknown origin.
