Dialectal or vulgar pronunciation of BURST sb. and v.; often adopted with humorous intention, esp. in U.S. spec. ‘a frolic; a spree’ (Bartlett); cf. BURST sb. 7. Hence Bust-head a.

1

1837.  J. C. Neal, Charcoal Sk., Dilly Jones, 96 (Bartlett). I was soon fotch’d up in the victualling line—and I busted for the benefit of my creditors.

2

1849.  California Song, in Vermont Jrnl., 27 April, 4/1 (Bartlett).

        And when we get our pockets full
  Of this bright shinin’ dust,
We’ll travel straight for home again,
  And spend it on a ‘bust.’

3

1885.  Advt., in Lisbon (Dakota) Star, 3 April, 6/7. N. P. Express Monopoly Busted.

4

1864.  Sala, in Daily Tel., 19 Oct., 5/4. Irresistible proclivities towards ‘bust-head’ whisky, ‘red-eye’ rum, and loafing generally.

5