padrone

An owner or manager, especially of an inn; a proprietor.

A man who exploitatively employs or finds work for Italian immigrants in America.

A master; especially, a person, generally an Italian, who owns hand-organs and lets them out to itinerant players, or who systematically employs destitute children to beg for his benefit; also, an Italian labor-contractor; one who lets out Italian laborers in a body.

In Italy: The prime minister of the papal curia.

The landlord of an inn.

The captain or master of a Mediterranean trader.

A patron; a protector.

The master of a small coaster in the Mediterranean.

A man who imports, and controls the earnings of, Italian laborers, street musicians, etc.

A patron; a protector.