Sahib is a term used by some people in India to address or to refer to a man in a position of authority. Sahib was used especially of white government officials in the period of British rule.
[politeness]
'It is most urgent, sahib,' he said.
...British Sahibs and Memsahibs.
sahib in British English
(ˈsɑːhɪb) or saheb (ˈsɑːhɛb)
noun
(in India) a form of address or title placed after a man's name or designation, used as a mark of respect
Word origin
C17: from Urdu, from Arabic çāhib, literally: friend
sahib in American English
(ˈsɑˌɪb; ˈsɑˌhɪb; sɑb; ˈsɑˌib; ˈsɑˌhib)
noun
sir; master
title used in colonial India when speaking to or of a European, and later extendedto any male as a sign of respect or formality
Word origin
Hindi sāhib < Ar ṣāhib, master, lit., associate
Examples of 'sahib' in a sentence
sahib
`I am sorry, sahib ," the driver replied apologetically.
Leasor, James TANK OF SERPENTS
`Sorry, sahib, no more whisky," the barman replied quickly.