Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary - reeve

 I. noun  Etymology: Middle English reve, from Old English gerefa, from ge- (associative prefix) + -refa (akin to Old English -rof number, Old High German ruova) — more at co-  Date: before 12th century  1. a local administrative agent of an Anglo-Saxon king  2. a medieval English manor officer responsible chiefly for overseeing the discharge of feudal obligations  3.  a. the council president in some Canadian municipalities  b. a local official charged with enforcement of specific regulations deer ~  II. verb  (rove or ~d; reeving)  Etymology: origin unknown  Date: 1627  transitive verb  1. to pass (as a rope) through a hole or opening  2. to fasten by passing through a hole or around something  3. to pass a rope through  intransitive verb of a rope to pass through a block or similar device  III. noun  Etymology: origin unknown  Date: 1634 the female of the ruff (sandpiper)