- satrap (n.)
- late 14c., "governor of a province of ancient Persia," from Latin satrapes, from Greek satrapes, from Old Persian kshathrapavan-, literally "guardian of the realm," from kshathra- "realm, province" (related to kshayathiya- "king," cognate with Sanskrit kshatra; cf. shah) + pavan- "guardian," from pa- "to protect."