Noun
A foreign businessman in China; a tycoon. [from 19th c.]
(Philippines) A tycoon (usually of Chinese Filipino background)
taipan (plural taipans)
Any venomous elapid snake of the genus Oxyuranus, found in Australia and New Guinea. [from 20th c.]
All four of David's sons moved on to work with Jardine, Matheson & Co. in Hong Kong and South China, starting as clerks and eventually becoming partners or managing partners or taipan in the firm. Source: Internet
David Jardine, another nephew of Jardine, became taipan after Sir Alexander Matheson. Source: Internet