Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary - hansa

 or Hanse  noun  Etymology: ~ from Medieval Latin, from Middle Low German hanse; Hanse from Middle English Hanze, from Anglo-French hanse, from Middle Low German  Date: 15th century  1. a league originally constituted of merchants of various free German cities dealing abroad in the medieval period and later of the cities themselves and organized to secure greater safety and privileges in trading  2. a medieval merchant guild or trading association  • Hanseatic noun or adjective