archegete
The founder, progenitor, originator of a group, tradition, or institution.
Lakulīśa (varr. lakuleśa, nakulīśa), which is used as an epithet of Śiva and as the name of that incarnation of Śiva who was the archegete of the Pāśupatas, means literally ‘lord (īśa) of the club (lakula).’
Where it comes from
From Ancient Greek ἀρχηγέτης (arkhēgétēs, “founder, leader, progenitor”). Doublet of Archegetes (epithet of Apollo). Compare exegete (from Ancient Greek ἐξηγητής (exēgētḗs)).
Adapted from the Wiktionary entry archegete (CC BY-SA 4.0).