sou'wester

American  

[sou-wes-ter] / ˌsaʊˈwɛs tər /

noun

1. a waterproof hat, often of oilskin, having the brim very broad behind and slanted, worn especially by seamen.

2. an oilskin slicker, fastening with buckles, worn especially by seamen in rough weather.

3. contraction of southwester.

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sou'wester British  

/ saʊˈwɛstə /

noun

1. a waterproof hat having a very broad rim behind, worn esp by seamen

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Etymology

Origin of sou'wester

First recorded in 1830–40; reduced form of southwester

Example Sentences

When it comes to reassuring train bears, alas, it’s hard to top Paddington and his red sou’wester.

From New York Times • May 20, 2022

He was standing at the tiller, in oilskins and sou’wester, while Lyra sat just inside the doorway, wrapped in an old coat of his.

From Slate • Jun. 10, 2019

The heat scorched Lyra’s face, and Brabandt tilted his sou’wester against it.

From Slate • Jun. 10, 2019

Wearing a waterproof hat that looked like a combination sou'wester and deerstalker, the Duke shot a 98.

From Time Magazine Archive

He leaned to the right, trying to see round the canopy, trying to keep the brim of his sou’wester out of his eyes, trying to make out anything in the teeming murk.

From "The Book of Dust: La Belle Sauvage" by Philip Pullman