"Huzzah!" or "Huzza!" (q.v.) was a cry of joy or triumph popular in the 18th century. The meaning roughly translates as "Hoorah!" or "Hooray!".
It is possible that an original pronunciation of Huzzah is huzz-ay, as it appears in some 18th century poems in a context that so suggests:
Plays round the head, but comes not to the heart.
One self-approving hour whole years outweighs
Of stupid starers and of loud huzzas;
And more true joy Marcellus exil’d feels
Than Cæsar with a senate at his heels.
In parts superior what advantage lies?
Tell (for you can) what is it to be wise?
’T is but to know how little can be known;
To see all others’ faults, and feel our own.
Alexander Pope, Essay on Man
(courtesy www.bartleby.com)
Most often encountered today in historical literature dealing with British redcoats as it was a battle cry of the British infantry of the time. Thus it is sometimes associated with British forces fighting in the American Revolution.