Meaning

verb bring into conformity with rules or principles or usage; impose regulations

verb direct or strongly influence the behavior of

verb exercise authority over; as of nations

originFrom Middle English governen, governe, from Anglo-Norman and Old French governer, guverner, from Latin gubernō, from Ancient Greek κυβερνάω (kubernáō, “to steer, drive, govern”). Displaced native Old English wealdan, whence modern dialectical English wald (“to govern”).

Etymology from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 3.0