HANSE, or HANS, an ancient name for a society or company of merchants; particularly that of certain cities in Germany, &c. hence called Hanse-towns. See HANSE-TOWNS.—The word hanse is obsolete High Dutch or Teutonic; and signifies "alliance, confederacy, association," &c. Some derive it from the two German words, am-see, that is, "on the sea;" by reason the first hanse towns were all situated on the sea-coast: whence the society is said to have been first called am see steden, that is, "cities on the sea;" and afterwards, by abbreviation, hansee, and hanse.