Emily Dickinson Lexicon

HUFF, n. [Sp. chufa, an empty boast; chufar, to hector, to bully; Sw. yfvas, yfva sig. This word coincides in elements with heave, hove, Dan. hovner, to swell; but it may be a different word. See Class Gb, No. 4, 31.]

1. A swell of sudden anger or arrogance. A Spaniard was wonderfully upon the huff about his extraction. L'Estrange.
2. A boaster; one swelled with a false opinion of his own value or importance. Lewd shallow-brained huffs make atheism and contempt of religion the badge of wit. South.