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See also Why is quixotic pronounced as it is?. There seems to be some degree of variation in how present-day English-language speakers pronounce quixotic itself. This is probably due to the comparative rarity of the word making it one most speakers have never heard said aloud, only read. There may also be some interference, especially in North America, stemming from an active or passive knowledge of the Spanish pronunciation of the Don’s name as described in the previous paragraph.

See also Why is quixotic pronounced as it is?. There seems to be some degree of variation in how present-day English-language speakers pronounce quixotic itself. This is probably due to the comparative rarity of the word making it one most speakers have never heard said aloud, only read. There may also be some interference, especially in North America, stemming from an active or passive knowledge of the Spanish pronunciation of the Don’s name as described in the previous paragraph.

Don /dɒn/, sb.1

Etymology: a. Sp. don :– L. domin-um ^{[sic: that’s the accusative; should be dominus in nom. sg. or even domine in the vocative, since that’s how it is often used. ―tchrist]} master, lord.

Don /dɒn/, sb. ¹

Etymology: a. Sp. don :– L. domin-um ^{[sic: that’s the accusative; should be dominus in nom. sg. or even domine in the vocative, since that’s how it is often used. ―tchrist]} master, lord.

To chase the last reference, the one where it says “see Don ^{1 c}”, the OED provides this at that entry:

Don /dɒn/, sb.1

Etymology: a. Sp. don :– L. domin-um ^{[sic: that’s the accusative; should be dominus in nom. sg. or even domine in the vocative, since that’s how it is often used. ―tchrist]} master, lord.

1. A Spanish title, prefixed to a man’s Christian name.

c. [. . .] Don Quixote, the hero of a Spanish romance by Cervantes, who, from his attempt to be a knight-errant as described in the books of chivalry, has become the type of any one who attempts to do an absurdly impossible thing or to carry out an impossible ideal; also attrib.; hence, Don Quixote v., Don Quixotism: see also quixotic, etc.

• 1674 [Z. Cawdrey] Catholicon 18 ― The furious zeal of persons Don-Quixotted in Religion.

• 1734 Fielding Don Quixote in England Introd., ― The Audience, I believe, are all acquainted with the Character of Don Quixote and Sancho. I have brought them over into England, and introduced them at an Inn in the Country.
• 1870 D. G. Rossetti Let. 15 Mar. (1965) II. 817 ― He is a complete Don Quixote in every way.
• 1900 A. Conan Doyle Gt. Boer War x. 167 ― His long thin figure, his gaunt Don-Quixote face.
• 1902 Pall Mall Gaz. 4 Jan. 6/3 ― This Don Quixote of a society has made an assault upon the most solid of windmills.