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 1640–1695.
1. A kind of large bushy wig. Obs.
2. A tall fur cap, with or without a plume, having a bag (generally of cloth, and of the colour 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.
I still had a hard time visualizing it, so here's an image, lifted from the internets:
"She had a great busby of frosted hair and a pair of filigreed glasses that, in the dim light of the bar, made it hard to get a good look at her eyes."
- Nick Paumgarten, "The Musical Life: Lu in the afternoon", 4 April 2011 The New Yorker
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