shovel hat

Meanings

1. A broad-brimmed style of hat, varying widely in detail, generally turned up at the sides and projecting in front like a shovel, formerly worn by some clergy in Britain, especially clergy of the Church of England.
2. Styles of tricorn hats worn by certain categories of Roman Catholic clerics in many countries, roughly during the nineteenth century, commonly described as "shovel hats" by Anglophones.
3. During the period of the popularity of shovel hats as clerical hats: any ecclesiastic, particularly one in traditional garb.

Etymology

From the shape. Apparently originally "fire shovel hat" or "fire-shovel-hat" based on a fire shovel.