† ˈpuff-fist, -foist Obs. rare.
[f. puff n. or v. stem + fist n.2, foist n.3, crepitus. Cf. puckfist of same date.]
= puff-ball 1.
| 1597 Gerarde Herbal iii. clxii. 1386 Puffes Fistes [Index Puffe Fistes], are commonly called in Latine Lupi crepitus, or Woolfes Fistes:..in English Puffes Fistes, and Fussebals in the north. 1634 Wither Emblemes xxiii. 85 That uncleanly mushrum ball Which in some countries wee a Pufffoyst call. |