Middle English Dictionary Entry
buffen v.
Entry Info
| Forms | buffen v. Also boffen. |
| Etymology | OF bofer, bufer |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) To speak with impediment, stutter, stammer; (b) to bark.
Associated quotations
a
- c1325(c1300) Glo.Chron.A (Clg A.11)8573 : Renable nas he [William Rufus] noȝt of tonge, ac of speche hastif, Boffinde [vr. boffyng(e; B: stotinge, stuttyng, ruffand; C: buffyng], & mest wanne hii were In worre oþer in strif.
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)14b/b : Þeiȝ it be stameringe & boffinge [L balbutiendo], I schal fonde somdel to declare þe menynge of þis wordes.
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)47a/b : Þe tonge buffeþ & stamereþ by to moch moisture.
- 1448 *Glo.Chron.C (Arms 58:Kooper)f.198v : He was .. sumwat heigh-wombed, of non goode eloquence but of buffyng speche nameliche when he wex wroth.
b
- ?a1475 PParv.(Win)54 : Buffyn of hondis ffolwyng here pray: Nicto.