Emily Dickinson Lexicon

BA-SHAW', n. [Ar. بَاشَا basha; Pers. pasha; Sp. baxa; It. bascia; Turk. basch, the head. Qu. D. baas, master, and the bassus of the Alemanni and Longobards, in the middle ages. This word is often written most absurdly pacha, both by the English and Americans.]

1. A title of honor in the Turkish dominions; appropriately, the title of the prime vizer, but given to viceroys or governors of provinces, and to generals and other men of distinction. The Turkish bashaws exercise an oppressive authority in their provinces. Hence,
2. A proud, tyrannical, overbearing man.