ˈvīˌvōd noun
or voi·vode also voi·vod ˈvȯiˌ-
( -s )
Etymology: vaivode from New Latin & Italian vaivoda, from obsolete Hungarian vajvoda, from Serbian & Slovene vojvoda, from Old Bulgarian vojevoda, literally, chieftain, from voinŭ warrior, soldier (akin to Lithuanian vyti to pursue, hunt) + voditi to lead; voivode from Russian voevoda, from Old Bulgarian — more at vim
: a military commander or governor of a town or province in various Slavic countries