A parson or settled minister. The word came into the U.S. through the Dutch settlement of New York, and is still used jocosely. In the 17th century, says Watson, “the principal person in every Dutch village was the ‘domine’ or minister.”—‘Historical Tales of New York,’ p. 26 (1832).
1680. We went to church in the morning, and heard Domine Schaats preach.—Tr., Voyage to New Netherland: ‘Memoirs of the Long Island Historical Society’ (1867), i. 317.
a. 1769. Are you the Domine of the Parish?—Earl of Orrery. (N.E.D.)
1824. Washington Irving. (N.E.D.)
1831. Ariel attended the Dominie’s sermons regularly twice every Sabbath; a custom he had never followed before, inasmuch as he had a most sovereign propensity to falling asleep and disturbing the congregation by snoring.—J. K. Paulding, ‘The Dutchman’s Fireside,’ i. 56.
