The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Headman \Head"man`\ (h[e^]d"m[a^]n`), n.; pl. Headmen
   (-m[e^]n`). [AS. he['a]fodman.]
   A head or leading man, especially of a village community.
   Headmold shot

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

headman
    n 1: an executioner who beheads the condemned person [syn:
         headsman, headman]
    2: the head of a tribe or clan [syn: headman, tribal chief,
       chieftain, chief]