late 15c., "a guide," from Anglo-French directour, French directeur, agent noun from Latin dirigere (see direct (v.)). Corporate sense is from 1630s; theatrical sense from 1911.
director di·rec·tor (dĭ-rěk'tər, dī-)
n.
A smoothly grooved instrument used with a knife to limit the incision of tissues. Also called staff1.