Emily Dickinson Lexicon

BUFF, n. [contracted from buffalo, or buff-skin.]

1. Buff-skin; a sort of leather, prepared from the skin of the buffalo, dressed with oil like shammy. It is used for making bandoliers, belts, pouches, gloves, and other articles. The skins of oxen, elks, and other animals, dressed in like manner, are also called buffs. – Encyc.
2. A military coat made of buff-skin or similar leather. – Shak.
3. The color of buff; a light yellow.
4. A yellow viscid substance formed on the surface of blood drawn in inflammatory diseases. – Parr.