Merriam-Webster's Collegiate® Dictionary, 11th Edition
OFFICER
I. noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Medieval Latin officiarius, from Latin officium
Date: 14th century
1. agent , one charged with police duties, one who holds an office of trust, authority, or command ,
3. one who holds a position of authority or command in the armed forces, the master or any of the mates of a merchant or passenger ship,
II. transitive verb
Date: 1670
to furnish with officers, to command or direct as an officer