According to the Oxford English Dictionary and Merriam-Webster, the term derives from DO as in hairdo: a do-rag is often worn to protect a processed hairstyle.
For centuries, men and women of African descent from around the world have used various fabrics and scarves to cover their hair. In the1930s American women began wearing a bandanna-like cloth to fasten their hairstyles in place while their hair was set.
Do-rags are regularly used to create and maintain waves. They are also used for corn-rowed hairstyles. They usually have long ties on either side that are wrapped around the head to secure the do-rag and tied at the back.
