·noun One who oversees; a superintendent; a supervisor; as, an overseer of a mill; specifically, one or certain public officers; as, an overseer of the poor; an overseer of highways.
A man standing in the pillory, is, from his elevated situation, said to be made an overseer. ...
Dictionary of The Vulgar Tongue by Francis Grose
See pannikin-boss ...
Dictionary of Australasian Words Phrases and Usages by Edward E. Morris