An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Annotated/Propst

by Friedrich Kluge

Propst, masculine, ‘provost,’ from Middle High German probest, brobest, Old High German probost, probist (provost), ‘superintendent, overseer, provost,’ a loan-word from Latin and Romance propositus (syncopated propostus), prœpositus, whence Italian prevosto, ‘provost,’ French prevôt, ‘assistant, provost.’ The word was borrowed by Old High German in the 9h century Profoß is a later loan-word, which, like Dutch provoost, ‘marshal (navy), provost-marshal,’ English provost, has assumed different meanings by connection with Old French prevost. Anglo-Saxon profast agrees with the German words in substituting the prefix pro for prae. Compare Pfründe.