ˈbərˌgrāv noun
( -s )
Usage: often capitalized
Etymology: modification of German burggraf, from Middle High German burcgrāve, from burc fortress, town (from Old High German burg fortified place) + grāve count, from Old High German grāvo, grāvio count, overseer; akin to Old Frisian grēva overseer, Middle Dutch grave, greve, Middle Low German grēve, and perhaps to Gothic ga gref ts decree
1. : the military governor of a German city in the 12th and 13th centuries
2. : a noble ruling by hereditary right a German castle or town and its adjacent lands — compare landgrave , margrave