baffle

baffle · verb, noun¹

1. French · derived frombefer
2. French · derived frombafouer
3. English todaybaffle

The origin of the verb is uncertain; it is possibly: * from French bafouer, baffoüer (“to abuse, revile; to confuse, baffle; to deceive; to flout; to scorn”), imitative of someone making a disdainful sound by expelling air quickly through pouted lips (compare Occitan baf (interjection expressing disdain)); or * from French befer, beffer, beffler (“(obsolete) to deceive; to mock, ridicule”) (compare Old French befe, beffe, buffe (“deception; mockery”); beferie (“deceit; quibbling”)), possibly from bafouer: see above. The noun is derived from the verb. Cognates * Italian beffare (“(verb) to deride, mock”), beffa (“(noun) banter; mockery”) * Occitan bafar (“(verb) to deride, mock”), bafa (“(noun) banter; mockery”) * Old Spanish bafa (modern Spanish befa (“(noun) banter; mockery”)) * Spanish befar (“(verb) to deride, mock”)

baffle · verb, noun²

1. Scots · derived frombauchle“to annoy; to cause harm or trouble to; to disgrace; to jilt; to treat with contempt”
2. English todaybaffle

The origin of the verb is uncertain; it is possibly from Scots bauchle (“to annoy; to cause harm or trouble to; to disgrace; to jilt; to treat with contempt”), from bauchle (“useless or worn-out person or thing; clumsy work, bungle; clumsy or untidy person; contemptible person; laughing stock”); further etymology uncertain, possibly related to bauch (“feeble, sorry; backward, foolish”, adjective), possibly related to Old Norse bagr (“awkward, clumsy”), bāgr (“hard up, poor; uneasy”) The noun is derived from the verb.

First known use, by meaning

• from 17th c. To confuse or perplex (someone) completely; to bewilder, to confound, to puzzle.
• from 17th c. To defeat, frustrate, or thwart (someone or their efforts, plans, etc.); to confound, to foil.
• from 17th c. Of weather or wind: to hinder or prevent (a ship or its crew) from advancing.
• 16th–18th c. To deceive or hoodwink (someone); to gull.
• from 19th c. To expend effort or struggle in vain.
• 16th–17th c. To publicly disgrace (someone); specifically, a recreant knight.
• 16th–17th c. To treat (someone) with contempt; to disgrace; also, to speak of (someone or something) in contemptuous terms; to speak ill of, to vilify.