lady

This word originally denoted a "kneader of bread" from the OE

http://latin.about.com/library/wordstories/bllady.htm

HLÆFDIGE, a compound of HLÆF (bread, and hence the word "loaf")
and the OE root DIG- (hence, the word "dough"). John Ayto tells us that
this word, as "LORD" (see below), is symbolic in medieval lifestyles of the
importance that bread played in people's lives. Thus, a "lady" was a
"provider of bread" and hence a symbol of authority within a household.