What does "reeve" mean?

Reeve: The female of the ruff.

Additional senses

  1. 2.To pass, as the end of a pope, through any hole in a block, thimble, cleat, ringbolt, cringle, or the like.
  2. 3.an officer, steward, bailiff, or governor; -- used chiefly in compounds; as, shirereeve, now written sheriff; portreeve, etc. Chaucer. Piers Plowman.

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