Also burough-, burgh-, bourg-: and see BURGOMASTER, [f. BOROUGH + MASTER; in sense 1 imitated from Du. burgemeester.]
† 1. A Dutch or Flemish burgomaster; sometimes used incorrectly, and also extended to similar functionaries in other foreign countries (e.g., quot. 1625 relates to Poland). b. The head of the municipality of certain Irish boroughs. Obs.
1494. Fabyan, Chron., VII. 436. And some of the borough maisters of the sayde towne [Bruges].
1590. Greene, Neuer too late (1600), 14. The richest Merchant or grauest Burghmaster.
1625. Purchas, Pilgrimes, II. 1421. The Borrow-masters sell Wine.
1696. Lond. Gaz., No. 3178/4. The Borough Master, Burgesses, and Commonalty of the Borough of Bayle in Ireland.
2. The patron or ‘owner’ of a BOROUGH (3 c).
a. 1832. Bentham, Mem., Wks. 1843, X. 237. Members … are supposed to speak the sentiments of the borough-master who puts them in.
