sachem

Where does the word "sachem" come from? It comes from Narragansett sachem, and was adopted directly into English (1620s).

Sachem’s story begins in Narragansett: sachem meant “a paramount chief.” The paramount chief of a tribe or confederation of tribes. It reached English by 1620s as sachem. Tammany Hall, New York's political machine, called its leaders sachems. Today, sachem means a chief of a Native American tribe or confederation, especially in the northeast.

1. Stage 1 · Narragansett · 1600s sachem "a paramount chief", the paramount chief of a tribe or confederation of tribes.
2. Stage 2 · English · 1620s sachem "a Native American tribal chief", Tammany Hall, New York's political machine, called its leaders sachems.