ˈpōrt.ˌrēv noun
or port·grave -tˌgrāv ; or port·greve -tˌgrēv
( -s )
Etymology: portreeve from Middle English portereve, portreve, from Old English portgerēfa, from port + gerēfa reeve; portgreve, Middle English, alteration (influenced by Old English portgerēfa ) of portreve; portgrave, alteration (influenced by Middle Dutch portgrave portreeve) of portgreve
1. : a bailiff or mayor charged with keeping the peace and with other duties in a port or market borough of early England
2. : the chief officer of a seaport town