/beuh ret"euh/ , n.
a stiff square cap with three or four upright projecting pieces extending from the center of the top to the edge, worn by ecclesiastics.
Also, berretta, birretta .
[ 1590-1600; berretta, fem. var. of berretto berret birrettum cap, equiv. to LL birr ( us ) BIRRUS + -ettum -ET; appar. by the development: hooded cloak > hood > cap; cf. ML (ca. 800) byrrus short hood ( cuculla brevis ) ]