\Stew"ard\, n. [OE. stiward, AS. st[=i]weard, stigweard,
literally, a sty ward; stigu sty + weard warden, guardian, --
his first duty having been probably to attend to the domestic
animals. [root]164. See {Sty} pen for swine, {Ward}.]
1. A man employed in a large family, or on a large estate, to
   manage the domestic concerns, supervise other servants,
   collect the rents or income, keep accounts, and the like.
         Worthy to be stewards of rent and land. --Chaucer.
         They came near to the steward of Joseph's house.
                                               --Gen. xliii.
                                               19.
         As good stewards of the manifold grace of God. --1
                                               Pet. iv. 10.
2. A person employed in a hotel, or a club, or on board a
   ship, to provide for the table, superintend the culinary
   affairs, etc. In naval vessels, the captain's steward,
   wardroom steward, steerage steward, warrant officers
   steward, etc., are petty officers who provide for the
   messes under their charge.
3. A fiscal agent of certain bodies; as, a steward in a
   Methodist church.
4. In some colleges, an officer who provides food for the
   students and superintends the kitchen; also, an officer
   who attends to the accounts of the students.
5. In Scotland, a magistrate appointed by the crown to
   exercise jurisdiction over royal lands. --Erskine.
{Lord high steward}, formerly, the first officer of the
   crown; afterward, an officer occasionally appointed, as
   for a coronation, or upon the trial of a peer. [Eng.]

\Stew"ard\, v. t.
To manage as a steward. [Obs.]