Frombevel(“command”) +hebben(“to have”) +-er. First known attestations from ca. 1535 and thus perhaps afterGermanBefehl(s)haber (1490), probably alreadyMiddle High Germanbevelhaber (1335, copy 16th c.).
bevelhebber m (pluralbevelhebbers,diminutivebevelhebbertje n,femininebevelhebster)