buskin a thick-soled laced boot worn by an ancient Athenian tragic actor to gain height; the buskin denotes the style or spirit of tragic drama. The word is recorded from the early 16th century, designating a calf-length boot; it probably comes via Old French from Middle Dutch broseken, but the ultimate origin is unknown.

buskin half-boot; high thick-soled boot worn in Attic tragedy. XVI. prob. — late OF. bouzequin, var. of bro(u)sequin (mod. brodequin), corr. to Cat., Sp. borcegui, Pg. borzeguim. It. borzacchino; of unkn. orig.