[Derivation unknown.
Busby is the name of an English village, and also a personal surname of some antiquity, well known as that of Dr. Richard Busby, Head Master of Westminster School 1640–95.]
† 1. A kind of large bushy wig. Obs.
1764. T. Bridges, Homer Travest. (1797), II. 144. But I’m afraid we cannot get him A busby large enough to fit him.
1882. Globe, 24 July, 2/1. This ‘Busby,’ so often used colloquially when a large bushy wig is meant, most probably took its origin, not … from Dr. Busby, the famous head master of Westminster School, but from the wig denominated a ‘Buzz,’ from being frizzled and bushy.
2. A tall fur cap, with or without a plume, having a bag (generally of cloth, and of the color of the facings of the regiment) hanging out of the top, on the right side; worn by hussars, artillerymen, and engineers; hence, one who wears a busby. Also busby-bag.
1807. (25 Dec.) in Malet, Hist. Rec. 18th Hussars (1869), 16. Permission received to be clothed as Hussars—the pelisse with grey fur; jackets, light blue, silver lace; busby-bags, blue.
1853. in F. Duncan, Hist. Royal Regt. Artill. (1873), II. 44. Sealskin busbies were substituted for bearskin.
1854. in Kinglake, Crimea (ed. 6), V. i. 271. ‘The Busby-bags taking it coolly.’
1870. Daily News, 27 July, 5/6. They wore the handsome and characteristic jacket which our Hussars have discarded for the tunic, and retained their busby (the headdress).
1885. Annandale, Impl. Dict., s.v., The bag appears to be a relic of a Hungarian head-dress from which a long padded bag hung over, and was attached to the right shoulder as a defence against sword-cuts.
