Whiff (?), n. [OE. weffe vapor, whiff, probably of imitative origin; cf. Dan. vift a puff, gust, W. chwiff a whiff, puff.]
1.
A sudden expulsion of air from the mouth; a quick puff or slight gust, as of air or smoke.
But with the whiff and wind of his fell sword
The unnerved father falls.
Shak.
The skipper, he blew a whiff from his pipe,
And a scornful laugh laughed he.
Longfellow.
2.
A glimpse; a hasty view.
[Prov. Eng.]
3. Zool.
The marysole, or sail fluke.
© Webster 1913.
Whiff, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Whiffed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Whiffing.]
1.
To throw out in whiffs; to consume in whiffs; to puff.
2.
To carry or convey by a whiff, or as by a whiff; to puff or blow away.
Old Empedocles, . . . who, when he leaped into Etna, having a dry, sear body, and light, the smoke took him, and whiffed him up into the moon.
B. Jonson.
© Webster 1913.
Whiff, v. i.
To emit whiffs, as of smoke; to puff.
© Webster 1913.