A high-ranking official or governor in the Ottoman Empire; a title of authority equivalent to a pasha, often used for powerful or domineering people.
From Turkish 'paşa,' ultimately from Persian 'pāds,' (protector). Entered English via French during the 1500s-1600s when European nations had extensive Ottoman contact.
European writers were obsessed with 'bashaws'—they represented exotic power and corruption, so the word became shorthand for any arrogant, tyrannical boss, even if they ran a small business, not an empire.
Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.