The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Edition
n. A landholder in New Netherland who, under Dutch colonial rule, was granted proprietary and manorial rights to a large tract of land in exchange for bringing 50 new settlers to the colony.
n. One of the landowning Dutch grandees of the Dutch colony of New Amsterdam, especially after it became a British possession, renamed as New York.
the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English
n. One of the proprietors of certain tracts of land with manorial privileges and right of entail, under the old Dutch governments of New York and New Jersey.
The Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia
n. One who received a grant of a certain tract of land and manorial privileges, with the right to entail, under the old Dutch governments of New York and New Jersey.
Word Usage
"Holders of Dutch grants bore the title patroon, or patron."