drostdy

noun

drost·dy

drȯˈstā,

-ȯsˈdā

plural -s

southern Africa

: the office or residence of a landdrost

: the jurisdiction of a landdrost

Word History

Etymology

Afrikaans (now drosdy), from drost sheriff (from Middle Dutch drossāte, from dros- retinue + -sāte commander) + -y (from Middle Dutch -īe, from Old French -ie -y); akin to Old English dryht retinue and to Old English -sæta commander, Old High German -sazzo, derivatives from the root of English sit