unbonnet

un- +‎ bonnet

unbonnet (third-person singular simple present unbonnets, present participle unbonneting or unbonnetting, simple past and past participle unbonneted or unbonnetted)

1. (transitive) To remove a bonnet from.
   • 1827, “A Christmas Party”, in The Atheneum; or, Spirit of the English Magazines, volume VII, second series, Boston: John Cotton, page 73:

     Jacob received them with much gallantry, uncloaking and unbonnetting the ladies, assisted by his two staring and awkward auxiliaries, welcoming their husbands and fathers, and apologizing, as best he might, for the absence of his helpmate;

   • 1829 May 2, [Walter Scott], Anne of Geierstein; or, The Maiden of the Mist. […], volume (please specify |volume=I to III), Edinburgh:  […] [Ballantyne and Company] for Cadell and Co., […]; London: Simpkin and Marshall, […], OCLC 230674445:

     "Do nothing but rise, unbonnet yourself, and be silent"

2. (intransitive) To take off one's bonnet.
   • 1857 (1830), [Mary Shelley], “The Rescue”, in The Fortunes of Perkin Warbeck. A Romance., London: G. Routledge & Co.; New York, page 182:

     He cast his penetrating glance around, and then unbonnetting to the duke, he said respectfully, […]

   • 1877, Jeannie H. Grey, Flirtation, Or, Cupid's Shoulder-strap Tactics: A West Point Love Story

     Mrs. Bobaline looked curiously at the shrinking girl, as she unbonneted, and was secretly pleased to see only a meek little face […]

   • 1881, Annie Raine Ellis, chapter XXIII, in Sylvestra, Studies of Manners in England from 1770 to 1800, volume II, London: George Bell and Sons, page 15:

     Unbonnetting before their betters might be more pleasant than having greatness thrust upon them;