What is the meaning of -esse?

creates the female form of some persons or occupations, as English -ess

used to form nouns describing the condition of being something (-ness, -ity, etc.)

-ess (female equivalent)

-ess (wife of)

suffix forming the third-person singular imperfect subjunctive of -ere verbs

Denotes a female form of otherwise male nouns denoting beings or persons.

Alternative form of -yssh

used to form nouns describing the condition of being something (-ness, -ity, etc.)

-ess

Source: wiktionary.org