ˈfaffle, v. dial.
[Of echoic origin: cf. maffle; also dial. faff a puff of wind, faff to blow in sudden gusts.]
a. To stutter or stammer; to utter incoherent sounds. b. To saunter; to fumble. c. Of a sail: To flap idly in the wind. d. = faff v.
| 1570 Levins Manip. 9 To Faffle, balbutire. Ibid. 127 Faffil. 1580 in Baret Alv. F. 19. 1781 in Hutton Tour to Caves Gloss. 1869 in Lonsdale Gloss. s.v. 1951 Auden Nones (1952) 21 Impassive, cloaked and great on Horseback under his faffling flag. 1965 M. Frayn Tin Men xxi. 113 Faffling away at whatever it was she faffled away at. |