Crossword Genius

Travel past item of headgear (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

busby

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'headgear' is the definition.
(I know that busby is a type of hat)

'travel past item' is the wordplay.
I cannot really see how this works, but
'past' could be 'by' (as in years gone by) and 'by' is found in the answer.
The remaining letters 'bus' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't see.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).

'of' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for busby that I've seen before include "Military fur hat" , "Mil. bearskin (colloq.)" , "Bearskin hat" , "Hussar's hat" , "Bearskin cap (colloq.)" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
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