Also southwester. [f. prec. + -ER1. Cf. SOU’-WESTER.]
1. A wind or gale blowing from the south-west.
1833. T. Hook, Parson’s Dau., III. xi. He felt a longing hope that he might fall in with the Dolly in the Channel, although the prevalence of the south-westers rendered it improbable.
1855. Kingsley, Westw. Ho! I. viii. 278. The southwester freshened, and blew three-parts of a gale dead into the bay.
1868. Rep. U.S. Commissioner Agric. (1869), 176. Logs of all sizes lie … where they are thrown upon the shore by the October southwesters.
2. A large oilskin or waterproof hat or cap worn by seamen to protect the head and neck during rough or wet weather.
So Du. zuidwester, G. südwester.
1840. R. H. Dana, Bef. Mast, iv. We were glad to … put on our thick clothing, boots, and southwesters.
1845. Disraeli, Sybil, II. xiv. I. 280. [He] was shaking the wet off an oilskin hat known by the name of a ‘south-wester.’
1883. J. J. Wait, in Century Mag., XXVI. 947/1. The six oil-jackets and south-westers.
b. attrib. with cap, hat.
1831. Ann. Reg., 113. He wore a smock frock … and a southwester cap.
1840. R. H. Dana, Bef. Mast, x. We had on oil-cloth suits and southwester caps.
