Many or much. From Viet Namese French for beaucoups. During the Viet Nam war Americansoldiers picked this up from the natives, Viet Nam was once a French colony.
Viet Namese hooker in Saigon, "Sex going to cost you bookoo bucks. One dollarlookie, two dollar touchie, three dollar dewey"
A 24-ounce lemon-lime flavored energy drink made by The Love Factor, Inc. and gives you one hell of a buzz. Also comes in Wild Berry flavor, which tastes like Pepsi Blue. Costs $3, and is available at 7-Eleven.
I used and heard the term frequently in the late seventies as a dependent on military bases in West Germany.
Later I heard it in a famous Vietnam movie as well, and suspect it may have either originated or been revived there, as the French fought in Indochina.
I was not aware it was predominantly a southern term, as it was used by northerners as well.
"I made bookoo bucks selling Malabar from the French PX."
note: French Malabar gum was sold at a profit in my Americanjunior high school in Germany. Yes, even their gum is better!