·noun The female of the ruff.
II. Reeve ·vt To pass, as the end of a pope, through any hole in a block, thimble, cleat, ringbolt, cringle, or the like.
III. Reeve ·noun an officer, steward, bailiff, or governor;
— used chiefly in compounds; as, shirereeve, now written sheriff; portreeve, ·etc.