Puggaree

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A light turban or cloth wrap worn around a hat or helmet in tropical regions to provide protection from the sun and heat
2. A piece of fabric designed to be worn around headgear in warm climates as a shield against sun exposure and heat discomfort
3. A lightweight cloth that encircles headwear in tropical areas, serving to offer shade and prevent overheating

Etymology: The "puggaree" is a sun-shielding cloth wrapped round a hat, and its name is a Hindi word, "pagṛī", meaning "turban" or headwear, that English picked up during the years of British presence in India. The spelling "puggaree" is one of several that English produced from that Hindi source, alongside "puggry", which has the same origin and was the more common form in some periods. British officers and travellers in the subcontinent wore the cloth wound around pith helmets, where it hung down the back of the neck and shaded the face and ears from the glare. The Hindi word itself covered the turban worn by Indian men, so the English term carried over a garment from one culture into the dress of another. Hats for hot climates were among the more visible items of colonial dress, and the name came back to Britain with those who had worn it.

Synonyms: pagri, pith helmet band, scarf