2 entries under this word
a. [Fr. suffragant, It. suffragante, suffraganeo, Sp. suffraganeo, suffragano, Lat. suffraganeus, p. pr. of suffragari, to support with one's vote, to be favorable, from suffragium, a vote, suffrage.] Assisting: as, a suffragan bishop.
n. [Fr. suffragant, Pr. suffraguant, suffraguan, It. suffraganeo, suffragano, Sp. suffraganeo, suffragano, L. Lat. suffraganeus. See supra.] (Eccl.) A bishop considered as an assistant, or as subject, to his metropolitan; an assistant bishop.
He issued a commission empowering any three of his suffragans to commit, in his name and as his delegates, the sins which he did not choose to commit in person. Macaulay.