In Roman days the forerunner of the musical instrument known as the “bugle” was originally made from a horn. It was not, however, made from any homed creature, but from one particular kind.
That was a bullock, a young bull. The Latin name for such an animal was buculus.
The name later became bugle in French and English, and was long retained as the term for a bullock. In all that period the musical instrument made from its horn was properly called a bugle-horn.
The name was often shortened to bugle, and when that term for a bullock fell into disuse, the musical instrument took full possession of the name.
It has been many centuries, however, since the instrument was actually made from the horn of a bullock. Even in Roman times metal was often used for the purpose.
