late 14c., "governor of a province of ancient Persia," from Latin satrapes, from Greek satrapes, from Old Persian x?athrapavan-, literally "guardian of the realm," from x?athra- "realm, province" (related to x?ayathiya "king," cognate with Sanskrit kshatra; see shah) + pavan- "guardian," from PIE *pa- "to protect, feed" (see food). Related: Satrapy.