hoofdman

Dutch

Etymology

From Middle Dutch hôvetman, from Old Dutch hōvitman, from Proto-West Germanic *haubidamann (“leader; captain, head of a group,” literally “head or main person”). Cognate with German Hauptmann, Low German Hööftmann, and Old English hēafodmann. Equivalent to hoofd- +‎ man.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈɦoːft.mɑn/

• Audio:

  (file)

• Hyphenation: hoofd‧man

Noun

hoofdman m (plural hoofdmannen, diminutive hoofdmannetje n)

1. chief, leader, ringleader

Descendants

• Afrikaans: hoofman
• Negerhollands: hoofdman