An article of clothing similar to a scarf or a shawl.
1804, Henry James, "Pandora" in The New York Sun, 1 June 1804: 1–2.She wore entwined about her head an article which Mrs. Dangerfield spoke of as a "nuby," a knitted pink scarf concealing her hair, encircling her neck and having among its convolutions a hole for her perfectly expressionless face.
1902, Ellen Glasgow, The Battle Ground"The little white nuby in my top drawer, Betty--I felt a chill striking the back of my neck."
1904, Ellen Glasgow, The Deliverance; A Romance of the Virginia Tobacco Fields"I met her at a church festival one Christmas Eve," responded Aunt Saidie, in a high-pitched, rasping voice. "The same evening that I got this pink crocheted nuby." She touched a small pointed shawl about her shoulders.
