dandruff, dandriff
(ˈdændrəf, -ɪf)
Forms: 6 dandrif, 6–7 -ruffe, -raff(e, 7 -ruf, -riffe, 7– -ruff, -riff; also 6–7 dandro, 8–9 (esp. U.S.) dander.
[Of unknown origin.
For conjectures, see Wedgwood, Edward Müller, Skeat: nothing satisfactory has been suggested.]
Dead scarf-skin separating in small scales and entangled in the hair; scurf.
| 1545 T. Raynalde Byrth Mankynde iv. vi. (1634) 198 They that haue blacke hayre haue more store of Dandruffe then others. 1601 Holland Pliny xx. vi, The iuice of Garlick being taken in drink clenseth the head from dandruffe. 1611 Cotgr., Crasse de la teste, Dandriff; the skales that fall from the head, etc. in combing. 1730 Swift Poems, Lady's Dressing-Room, Combs..Fill'd up with Dirt..Sweat, Dandriff, Powder, Lead and Hair. 1866 Youatt Horse xv. 342 The scales which fall off in the shape of dandriff. |
| β 1591 Percivall Sp. Dict., Caspa de cabe{cced}a, Dandro, Furfures capitis. 1650 Bulwer Anthropomet. 53 To breed Lice and Dandro, after the manner of your Irish. 1786 Sportsman's Dict. G g viij, Some horses have neither scales, dander, or scabs. a 1800 Spirit of Farmer's Museum (1801) 278 An infant child..had ever since its birth, been grievously afflicted with a certain disorder in the head, called by the learned, ‘the dander, or dandriff’. 1860 J. G. Holland Miss Gilbert's Career viii. 131 A young man that..keeps the dander all off his coat collar..always makes a good husband. 1875 ― Sevenoaks v. 65 I've took more nor three quarts o' dander out iv 'is hide. 1876 Whitby Gloss., Dander, a slight scurf on the skin. |
| attrib. 1668 Dryden Evening's Love iv. iii, There's the dandriff comb you lent me. |
Hence
ˈdandruffy a., scurfy.
| 1858 Mayne Reid in Chamb Jrnl. IX. 333 A white dandruffy surface was exhibited. |