colloq.
a. A hat with a broad brim. b. A nickname for one who wears such a hat; a Quaker.
1797. Lamb, Lett., iii. (1837), I. 75. The congregation of broad-brims … were too much for his gravity.
1855. S. Lover, Handy Andy, xxxvi. ‘Now [fire] once through my broad-brim,’ quoth Ephraim.
1863. Sala, Capt. Danger., I. x. 310. There are hearts of gold among those Broadbrims.
Hence Broad-brimmed a.; Broad-brimmer, a broad-brimmed hat (colloq.).
1688. Lond. Gaz., No. 2350/4. One silver broad brim’d Bason.
1716. Lady M. W. Montague, Lett., I. iii. 12. The parson clapped on a broad brimmed hat.
1860. Heads & Hats, 13. Flat caps and broad-brimmers were … fashionable.
1872. Hardwick, Trad. Lanc., 156. The wild huntsman may always be recognised by his broad-brimmed hat.
