Hum"bug` (?), n. [Prob. fr. hum to impose on, deceive + bug a frightful object.]
1.
An imposition under fair pretenses; something contrived in order to deceive and mislead; a trick by cajolery; a hoax.
2.
A spirit of deception; cajolery; trickishness.
3.
One who deceives or misleads; a deceitful or trickish fellow; an impostor.
Sir J. Stephen.
© Webster 1913.
Hum"bug`, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Humbugged (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Humbugging (?).]
To deceive; to impose; to cajole; to hoax.
© Webster 1913.