1829, "wealthy bon vivant," from play (v.) + boy. As the name of a U.S.-based magazine for men, from December 1953. Earlier (1620s), play-boy meant "schoolboy actor." Fem. equivalent playgirl is recorded by 1934.
play
playable
playback
play-bill
playbook
playboy
play-day
play-dough
player
playfellow
playful