pasha

n. [ Turk. pāshā, bāshā; cf. Per. bāshā, bādshāh; perh. a corruption of Per. pādishāh. Cf. Bashaw, Padishah, Shah. ] An honorary title given to officers of high rank in Turkey, as to governers of provinces, military commanders, etc. The earlier form was bashaw. [ Written also pacha. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ There are three classes of pashas, whose rank is distinguished by the number of the horsetails borne on their standards, being one, two, or three, a pasha of three tails being the highest. [ 1913 Webster ]