Meaning

noun the head of a state government

noun a control that maintains a steady speed in a machine (as by controlling the supply of fuel)

originFrom Middle English governour, from Old French gouvreneur, from Latin gubernator, from Ancient Greek κυβερνήτης (kubernḗtēs, “steersman, pilot, guide”), from κυβερνάω (kubernáō, “to steer, to drive, to guide, to act as a pilot”), of disputed origin. By surface analysis, govern + -or. Doublet of gubernator.

Etymology from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 3.0