graafEtymologyFrom Dutch graaf. Doublet of graf and grave.nounA Dutch earl or count.“The knights of St. John once had here their dwelling, or commandery, as it was called, but had removed in 1312 to a new building within the city of Haarlem, where they were richly endowed by Graaf William the Good, who also conferred on them numerous privileges, of which not the least was, that the commander of the order should thenceforth be the host of the graafs.”