1934, from
Führer und Reichskanzler, title assumed by Hitler in 1934 as head of German state, from Ger.
Führer "leader," from
führen "to lead," from M.H.G.
vüeren "to lead, drive," from O.H.G.
fuoren "to set in motion, lead," causative of O.H.G.
faran "to go, travel," which is cognate with O.E.
faran (see
fare (v.)). Hitler's title was modeled on Mussolini's
Duce.