Puff"er (?), n.
1.
One who puffs; one who praises with noisy or extravagant commendation.
2.
One who is employed by the owner or seller of goods sold at suction to bid up the price; a by-bidder.
Bouvier.
3. Zool. (a)
Any plectognath fish which inflates its body, as the species of Tetrodon and Diodon; -- called also blower, puff-fish, swellfish, and globefish.
<-- (of the Tetraodontidae) They are highly poisonous due to the presence of glands containing a potent toxin, tetrodotoxin. Nevertheless they are eaten as a delicacy in Japan, being prepared by specially licensed chefs who remove the poison glands. --> (b)
The common, or harbor, porpoise.
4. Dyeing
A kier.
© Webster 1913.