Chapter DOAB to DONDERA HEAD of D by The Hobson Jobson Dictionary

DOBUND, s. This word is not in the Hind. Dicts. (nor is it in Wilson), but it appears to be sufficiently elucidated by the quotation:

1787.—“That the power of Mr. Fraser to make dobunds, or new and additional embankments in aid of the old ones…was a power very much to be suspected, and very improper to be entrusted to a contractor who had already covenanted to keep the old pools in perfect repair,” &c.—Articles against W. Hastings, in Burke, vii. 98.

DOLLY, s. Hind. dali. A complimentary offering of fruit, flowers, vegetables, sweetmeats and the like, presented usually on one or more trays; also the daily basket of garden produce laid before the owner by the Mali or gardener (“The Molly with his dolly”). The proper meaning of dali is a ‘branch’ or ‘twig’ (Skt. dar); then a ‘basket,’ a ‘tray,’ or a ‘pair of trays slung to a yoke,’ as used in making the offerings. Twenty years ago the custom of presenting dalis was innocent and merely complimentary; but, if the letter quoted under 1882 is correct, it must have grown into a gross abuse, especially in the Punjab. [The custom has now been in most Provinces regulated by Government orders.] [1832.—“A Dhaullie is a flat basket, on which is arranged in neat order whatever fruit, vegetables, or herbs are at the time in season.”—Mrs. Meer Hassan Ali, Observations, i. 333.]

1880.—“Brass dishes filled with pistachio nuts are displayed here and there; they are the oblations of the would-be visitors. The English call these offerings dollies; the natives dáli. They represent in the profuse East the visiting cards of the meagre West.”—Ali Baba, 84.

1882.—“I learn that in Madras dallies are restricted to a single gilded orange or lime, or a tiny sugar pagoda, and Madras officers who have seen the bushels of fruit, nuts, almonds, sugar- candy…&c., received by single officials in a single day in the N.W. Provinces, and in addition the number of bottles of brandy, champagne, liquors, &c., received along with all the preceding in the Punjab, have been…astounded that such a practice should be countenanced by Government.”—Letter in Pioneer Mail, March 15.

DOME, DHOME; in S. India commonly Dombaree, Dombar, s. Hind. Dom or Domra. The name of a very low caste, representing some old aboriginal race, spread all over India. In many places they perform such offices as carrying dead bodies, removing carrion, &c. They are often musicians; in Oudh sweepers; in Champaran professional thieves (see Elliot’s Races of the N.W.P., [Risley, Tribes and Castes of Bengal, s.v.]). It is possible, as has been suggested by some one, that the Gypsy Romany is this word.

c. 1328.—“There be also certain others which be called Dumbri who eat carrion and carcases; who have absolutely no object of worship; and who have to do the drudgeries of other people, and carry loads.”—Friar Jordanus, Hak. Soc. p. 21.

1817.—“There is yet another tribe of vagrants, who are also a separate sect. They are the class of mountebanks, buffoons, posture-masters, tumblers, dancers, and the like.… The most dissolute body is that of the Dumbars or Dumbaru.”—Abbé Dubois, 468.

DONDERA HEAD, n.p. The southernmost point of Ceylon; called after a magnificent Buddhist shrine there, much frequented as a place of pilgrimage, which was destroyed by the Portuguese in 1587. The name is a corruption of Dewa-nagara, in Elu (or old Singalese) Dewu-nuwara; in modern Singalese Dewundara (Ind. Antiq. i. 329). The place is identified by Tennent with Ptolemy’s “Dagana, sacred to the moon.” Is this name in any way the origin of the opprobrium ‘dunderhead’? [The N.E.D. gives no countenance to this, but leaves the derivation doubtful; possibly akin to dunner]. The name is so written in Dunn’s Directory, 5th ed. 1780, p. 59; also in a chart of the Bay of Bengal, without title or date in Dalrymple’s Collection.

1344.—“We travelled in two days to the city of Dinawar, which is large, near the sea, and inhabited by traders. In a vast temple there, one sees an idol which bears the same name as the city.… The city and its revenues are the property of the idol.”—Ibn Batuta, iv. 184.

[1553.—“Tanabaré.” See under GALLE, POINT DE.]