Muff (?), n. [Cf. LG. muff, D. mof, G., Dan., & Sw. muff, F. moufle mitten, LL. muffula, MHG. mouwe sleeve, D. mouw, and E. muffle, v.]
1.
A soft cover of cylindrical form, usually of fur, worn by women to shield the hands from cold.
2. Mech.
A short hollow cylinder surrounding an object, as a pipe.
3. Glass Manuf.
A blown cylinder of glass which is afterward flattened out to make a sheet.
4. [Perhaps a different word; cf. Prov. E. maffle to slammer.]
A stupid fellow; a poor-spirited person.
[Colloq.] "A
muff of a curate."
Thackeray.
5. [See 4.] Baseball
A failure to hold a ball when once in the hands.
6. Zool.
The whitethroat.
[Prov. Eng.]
© Webster 1913.
Muff, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Muffed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Muffing.]
To handle awkwardly; to fumble; to fail to hold, as a ball, in catching it.
© Webster 1913.