gastaldo

noun

gas·tal·do | \ gəˈstäl(ˌ)dō\

plural gastaldi\ -(ˌ)dē \

Definition of gastaldo

1 : the representative of a king on his domains in medieval Italy especially among the Lombards

2 : a steward in a nobleman's household

History and Etymology for gastaldo

Italian castaldo, gastaldo, from Medieval Latin castaldus, gastaldus, from a Lombard word akin to Old English gesteald abode, from ge- (perfective & collective prefix) + -steald (akin to Old English stealdan to possess); akin to Old High German hagustalt day laborer, bachelor, Gothic gastaldan to acquire, possess, Old English steall place, position, stall