An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Propst

by Friedrich Kluge

Propst, m., ‘provost,’ from MidHG. probest, brobest, OHG. probost, probist (provost), ‘superintendent, overseer, provost,’ a loan-word from Lat. and Rom. propositus (syncopated propostus), prœpositus, whence Ital. prevosto, ‘provost,’ Fr. prevôt, ‘assistant, provost.’ The word was borrowed by OHG. in the 9h cent. Profoß is a later loan-word, which, like Du. provoost, ‘marshal (navy), provost-marshal,’ E. provost, has assumed different meanings by connection with OFr. prevost. AS. profast agrees with the G. words in substituting the prefix pro for prae. Comp. Pfründe.