also bowler, subs. (common).—A stiff felt hat: see GOLGOTHA.
1861. The Saturday Review, 21 Sept., 297. We are informed that he … wore, or rather carried in his hand, a white BOWLER hat.
1882. PEBODY, English Journalism, xxi., 158. The ministers, in BOWLERS and pea-jackets, are to be found upon the shores of highland lochs.
1889. Answers, June 8, 24. Most of the men were clothed in loud and greasy suits of tweed, and wore what are known as BOWLER hats, many of them much the worse for wear. The ladies affected fine and smart costumes, but as the greater part of their dresses had seen long months of service, the smartness was somewhat of the bedraggled order.
