Ogier Ghiselin de Busbecq turban
Ogier Ghiselin de Busbecq stated that the "Turks" used the word "tulipan" to describe the flower.  Extensive speculation has tried to understand why he would state this, given that the Turkish word for tulip is "lale".  It is from this speculation that "tulipan" being a translation error referring to turbans is derived.  This Etymology has been challenged and makes no assumptions about possible errors.  At no point does Busbecq state this was the word used in Turkey, he simply states it was used by the "Turks".  On his way to Constantinople Busbecq states he travelled through Hungary and used Hungarian guides.  Until recent times "Turk" was a common term when referring to Hungarians.  The word "tulipan" is in fact the Hungarian word for tulip.  As long as one recognizes "Turk" as a reference to Hungarians, no amount of speculation is required to reconcile the word's origin or form.  Busbecq was simply repeating the word used by his "Turk/Hungarian" guides.
