governor

The story

1. Ancient Greekκυβερνάω (kubernáō)
2. Latingubernō
3. Latingubernator
4. Old Frenchgouvreneur
5. Middle Englishgovernour
6. English todaygovernor

From Middle English governour, from Old French gouvreneur, from Latin gubernator, from Ancient Greek κυβερνήτης (kubernḗtēs, “steersman, pilot, guide”), from κυβερνάω (kubernáō, “to steer, to drive, to guide, to act as a pilot”), of disputed origin. By surface analysis, govern + -or. Doublet of gubernator.

Words from the same roots