Definition of "towkay"

towkay

/ˈtaʊkeɪ/

noun
plural towkays
1. (Malaysia, Singapore) , A business owner; boss (especially a Malaysian Chinese or a Singaporean Chinese).
  Quotations
  My own experience would lead me to suggest that the Chinese immigrants should be placed under one Towkay, or head man, who would control those villages under his care.
  1887, Harriet W. Daly, Digging, Squatting, and Pioneering Life in the Northern Territory of South Australia, page 352
2. (Malaysia, Singapore) , Term of address for such a person; sir.