headman

[ hed-muh n, -man ]

/ ˈhɛd mən, -ˌmæn /

a chief or leader.

headsman.

Origin of headman

before 1000; Middle English he(ve)dman, Old English hēafodman. See head, man¹

Their head-quarters is Tuticorin, and their headman is called Talavan.

Castes and Tribes of Southern India |Edgar Thurston
Moussa-ag-Amastan, headman of the clan, awaited the newcomers at first with a certain trepidation in spite of his warrior blood.

Black Man's Burden |Dallas McCord Reynolds
The stern face and glittering eyes indicated clearly that the headman would die before he said more about the attackers.

The Pirates of Shan |Harold Leland Goodwin
This headman had also had addresses delivered in the village for the first time.

The Foundations of Japan |J.W. Robertson Scott

Then, as the headman hurried up: "Get me the box of medicines, quick!"

The Leopard Woman |Stewart Edward White

headman

/ (ˈhɛdmən) /

anthropol a chief or leader

a foreman or overseer