Cap In Hand

From the custom of uncovering the head (abridged to ‘raising’ or merely ‘touching’ the cap) in sign of reverence, respect, or courtesy, come many expressions, such as to come with cap in hand, also cap-in-hand, attrib. phr., with cap and knee, bareheaded and bowing or kneeling, with cap and courtship, or cap and curtsey; and also the contextual use of cap, for the raising of the cap, respectful salute.

1600 HOLLAND Livy IX. xx. 328 They..importuned them..with cap and cursie.

1889 C. M. YONGE in Monthly Packet Xmas 33, I don't care for those cap-in-hand ways of your people here. OED