Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Reeve \Reeve\ (r?v), n. (Zo["o]l.)
   The female of the ruff.

Reeve \Reeve\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Rove} (r?v); p. pr. & vb. n.
   {Reeving}.] [Cf. D. reven. See {Reef}, n. & v. t.] (Naut.)
   To pass, as the end of a pope, through any hole in a block,
   thimble, cleat, ringbolt, cringle, or the like.

Reeve \Reeve\, n. [OE. reve, AS. ger?fa. Cf. {Sheriff}.]
   an officer, steward, bailiff, or governor; -- used chiefly in
   compounds; as, shirereeve, now written sheriff; portreeve,
   etc. --Chaucer. --Piers Plowman.

Source : WordNet®

reeve
     n : female ruff
     v 1: pass a rope through; "reeve an opening"
     2: pass through a hole or opening; "reeve a rope"
     3: fasten by passing through a hole or around something
     [also: {rove}]