Emily Dickinson Lexicon

PUFF, n. [D. pof; G. puff, a puff; a thump; puffen, to cuff; to thump, to buffet; Dan. puff, a puff, blast, buffet; puffer, to crack; W. pwf and pif. This is only a dialectical variation of buff, buffet; It. buffo, buffa, buffetto, beffa, whence buffoon; Sp. bufar, to puff. The radical sense is to drive, to thrust, hence to swell. See Buffet and Buffoon. The Dutch orthography is precisely the Pers. پُفْ pof, a puff.]

1. A sudden and single emission of breath from the mouth; a quick forcible blast; a whiff. Philips.
2. A sudden and short blast of wind. – Ralegh.
3. A fungous ball filled with dust.
4. Any thing light and porous, or something swelled and light; as, puff-paste. – Tatler.
5. A substance of loose texture, used to sprinkle powder on the hair. – Ainsworth.
6. A tumid or exaggerated statement or commendation. – Cibber.