faff, v. dial. and colloq.
(fæf)
[cf. faffle v.]
intr. To fuss, to dither. Often with about. Also as n., fuss, ‘flap’.
| 1874 S. Baring-Gould Yorks. Oddities I. 179 T' clock⁓maker..fizzled an' faff'd aboot her, but nivver did her a farthing's worth o' good. 1888 J. Dalby Mayroyd III. vi. 99 A flay-crow wench, aw feathers an' faff. 1954 N. Coward Future Indefinite v. 319 The Welfare Officers appeared,..faffed about, used either too much initiative or too little, and retired in due course. 1959 ‘O. Mills’ Stairway to Murder x. 117 It's a bad time for the villagers anyway, faffing around after the ewes. 1960 M. Cecil Something in Common xx. 228 Dithering about in a perpetual faff. |