Forms: 7 bacsheese, 8 buxie, backsishe, bacshish, 9 bach-, backshish, ba(c)ksheesh, bu(c)kshish, -sheesh, buxees, bakhshîsh. [Pers. bakhshīsh present, f. bakhshī-dan to give; now used in Arabic, Turkish and Urdu.] Oriental term for: A gratuity, present of money, ‘tip.’
[1625. Purchas, Pilgrimes, II. 1340. Who … would prostitute her selfe to any man Bacsheese (as they say in the Arabicke tongue) that is gratis freely.]
1755–60. Ives, 51 (Col. Yule). Buxie money.
1775. R. Chandler, Trav. Asia Min., viii. 1825. A demand of bac-shish, a reward or present; which term, from its frequent use, was already become very familiar to us.
1781. Gentl. Mag., 113. The Backsishe, or money to drink.
1814. Mrs. Sherwood, Henry & Bearer, 29. And gave Boosy … four rupees, buckshish.
1854. W. Arnold, Oakfield, I. 239. The relieved bearers … most unceremoniously demanded buxees.
1863. Miss Whately, Ragged Life Egypt, x. 84. Asking loudly for backsheesh.
1876. Times, 20 April, 10/1. Every fresh nomination is productive of backsheesh to the unworthy minions of the harem, who have the disposal of the good things of the State.
