reeve

noun

1. (historical)Any of several local officials, with varying responsibilities.

   “His first convert was the reeve of the city of Lincoln called Blæcca, ...”

2. (Canada)The president of a township or municipal district council.
3. (historical)The holder of a proposed but unadopted commissioned rank of the Royal Air Force, equivalent to wing commander.

   “A list of new titles was manufactured as follows: Ensign, Lieutenant, Flight-Leader, Squadron-Leader, Reeve, Banneret, Fourth-Ardian, Third-Ardian, Second-Ardian, Ardian, Air Marshal. […] “Reeve”, perhaps, savoured a little too much of legal authority.”

4. A female of the species Philomachus pugnax, a highly gregarious, medium-sized wading bird of Eurasia; the male is a ruff.

verb

1. (dialectal)To pass (a rope) through a hole or opening, especially so as to fasten it.

   “"Let the rope go," he says. With his other hand he reaches down and reeves the two turns from the stanchion.”

name

1. A surname originating as an occupation for a bailiff.
2. An unincorporated community in Vance Creek, Barron County, Wisconsin, United States.