To put a wig on someone or to cover with a wig.
From 'be-' (prefix meaning 'to cause to be or cover with') + 'wig' (a hairpiece). Formed in the 17th century when wigs became fashionable among European nobility and the need for a verb arose to describe the action of putting on or wearing a wig.
During the reign of King Louis XIV and Charles II, wigs became so central to aristocratic fashion that people needed a specific verb for the act of wig-wearing. 'Bewig' survives in historical texts and period dramas because wigs were genuinely important enough to discuss—a full-bottomed wig could cost more than a house!
Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.