tai·pan 1 
(tīpăn′)
(tīpăn′)n.
1. A powerful businessman in China or Southeast Asia.
2. The head of a British trading company in colonial Hong Kong.
[Cantonese daai6 baan1, eminent businessman, head of a firm, Cantonese, daai6, big, great (from Middle Chinese tɦaj`; also the source of Mandarin dà), Cantonese baan1, class (from Middle Chinese paːn, division, class; see HONCHO).]