Vogt (also Voigt; plural Vögte; Dutch voog; Danish foged; Polish: Wójt; equivalent in Latin advocatus) is probably derived from Old High German vogeten, "to protect". Originally, it referred in medieval German-speaking areas to the guardianship or military protection executed by an overlord over ecclesiastical institutions and their territory. The territory or area of responsibility of a Vogt is called a Vogtei. In addition to his protective military function, the Vogt dispensed secular justice.