patroon (n.) Look up patroon at Dictionary.com
1660s, variant of patron used in foreign contexts, from Dutch patroon (a French loan-word) or French patron "master, patron," from Old French (see patron; also see -oon); used from 1758 in parts of New York and New Jersey colonies for "landholder," especially one with certain manorial privileges (abolished c. 1850) under the old Dutch governments by the charter of 1629.