1562, from Turk. vezir "counsellor," from Arabic wazir "viceroy," lit. "one who bears (the burden of office)," lit. "porter, carrier," from wazara "he carried." But Klein says Arabic wazir is from Avestan vicira "arbitrator, judge," and replaced Arabic katib, lit. "writer," in the sense "secretary of state."
[vi-zeer, viz-yer] 
