headman

See also: head man

English

Etymology

From Middle English hedeman, hede man, hæfd-man, hæfedd mann, from Old English hēafod-mann (“chief; leader; headman”), from Proto-Germanic *haubudamann-, *haubidamann- (“headman”), equivalent to head +‎ man. Cognate with Dutch hoofdman (“chief; chieftain”), German Hauptmann (“captain”), Swedish huvudman (“chief; principal; leader”). Compare also English headsman.

Noun

headman (plural headmen)

1. Alternative spelling of head man
2. (informal) headmaster

   The headman came and talked to me.

Related terms

• hetman

Anagrams

• Hamedan, Hamedān