Emily Dickinson Lexicon

PUFF, v.i. [G. puffen, to puff, to thump, to buffet: verpuffen, to detonize; D. poffen; W. pifiaw, pwfiaw, to puff; Fr. bouffer, to puff, to swell. See the Noun.]

1. To drive air from the mouth in a single and quick blast. – Shak.
2. To swell the cheeks with air.
3. To blow as an expression of scorn or contempt. It is really to defy heaven to puff at damnation. – South.
4. To breathe with vehemence, as after violent exertion. The ass comes back again, puffing and blowing from the chase. – L'Estrange.
5. To do or move with hurry, agitation and a tumid, bustling appearance. That came brave glory puffing by. – Herbert.
6. To swell with air; to dilate or inflate. – Boyle.