Dear Bryan
Dear Dr Bittar
In the Pali Sutta Pitaka the word Bhagavant does not occur. It is a construct by the PTS dictionary (PTSD).
However, you get the forms bhagavantam (object) and bhagavanto (plural) and Bhagavaa in the Sutta Pitaka.The words Bhagavaa occurs over 6000 times in the Tipitaka. It is a contraction of the expression (Bhagavaa Buddho). It is how the disciples (Saavakas) referred to Lord Buddha. Another way in which the Lord Buddha was referred to was Satthaa (Leader).Both these terms meant a teacher with a following.
Modern equivalent of Bhagavaa (Bhagawan) is very common in the Indian context. Dhammaananda Kosambis book has the title Bhagwan Buddha. Miss Horner translates Bhagavaa as Lord Buddha. The form Bhagwan gone to English as Bhagwan. OD gives: A guru or revered person (oftern used as a proper name or form of address).
The Definition of Bhagavaa in Pali is: Itipi so bhagavaa araham sammaasambuddho....buddho bhagavaa. The Bhagavaa I respect and honour (vandanaa) is Bhagavaa Araham Sammaasambuddho.
Pali grammarians use bhagavaa + vantu to derive the form bhagavantam.
With friendly thoughts,
D.C.
P.S. I am most grateful if I am addressed as D.C. I am a retired engineer trying to study "Bhagavataa Dhammo" on my own. My comments above are based on my own readings.