n. A Hindu title of respect, equivalent to Mr.; hence, a Hindu gentleman or official.
The Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia
n. A Hindu title of address, equivalent to sir or Mr., given to gentlemen, clerks, etc.: formerly applied in some parts of Hindustan to certain persons of distinction.
WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.
n. used as a Hindi courtesy title; equivalent to English `Mr'
Word Usage
"From a printed curiosity -- a letter written by one of those brave and confident Hindoo strugglers with the English tongue, called a "babu" -- I got a more compressed translation: "Godville.""