† ˈBuggess Obs.
[a. Bugis, ‘name given by the Malays to the dominant race of the Island of Celébes’ (Col. Yule).]
A name formerly used in the Indian Archipelago for a native soldier in European service.
| 1699 W. Dampier Voy. II. i. 108 These Buggasses are a sort of warlike trading Malayans and mercenary soldiers of India. 1779 Forrest Voy. N. Guinea 213, I apprehended he was a Captain of Buggesses, in the English Company's service. 1792 ― Voy. Mergui 78 (Y.) The word Buggess has become amongst Europeans consonant to soldier, in the east of India, as Sepoy is in the West. 1811 Ld. Minto in India 279 (Y.) We had fallen in with a fleet of nine Buggese prows. [1878 M{supc}Nair Perak 130 (Y.) The Bugis are evidently a distinct race from the Malays.] |