waywode \way"wode\, n. russ. voevoda, or pol. woiewoda;
   properly, a leader of an army, a leader in war. cf.
   vaivode.
   originally, the title of a military commander in various
   slavonic countries; afterwards applied to governors of towns
   or provinces. it was assumed for a time by the rulers of
   moldavia and wallachia, who were afterwards called hospodars,
   and has also been given to some inferior turkish officers.
   written also vaivode, voivode, waiwode, and
   woiwode.
   1913 webster
see also:
vaivode vaivode voivode waiwode woiwode