Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Shereef \Sher"eef\, Sherif \Sher"if\, n. [Ar. sher[=i]f noble,
   holy, n., a prince.]
   A member of an Arab princely family descended from Mohammed
   through his son-in-law Ali and daughter Fatima. The Grand
   Shereef is the governor of Mecca.