Mid 19th century; earliest use found in George Borrow (1803–1881), writer and traveller. From English Romani hóčiwiči, probably from the English Romani word corresponding to Welsh Romani určos + a second element of uncertain origin, either an arbitrary extension or perhaps a derivative of Romani veš forest, woods (from Middle Persian wešag forest; Persian beša, (in Iran) bīšae), probably with influence from English -y.