A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 1986 (DOST Vol. VI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Puff(e, Puft(e, v. P.t. and p.p. puft. [ME (Ancr. R.) and e.m.E. puffe(n, e.m.E. also pouff (Caxton): cf. OE pyffan, *puffan, MDu. and Du. puffen.] a. intr. To emit breath or wind, to puff, pant or break wind. b. reflex. To become inflated, to swell up, and tr. to inflate, with vanity or arrogance. c. tr. To ‘blow’ or drive forward by vanity, as if by a wind (cf. prec. sense). d. To further or support (a cause) as if by blowing it forward (cf. prec. sense); const. on.a. 1540 Lynd. Sat. 4359 (B).
Scho puft and ȝiskit with sic riftis 1563 G. Hay Confutation Abbot Crosraguel 12b.
But that he sees the murgeons played, a disguysed preist, somtymes pufting, somtymes blawingb. 15.. Sym & Bruder 47.
Quhen thay wer welthfull in thair wynning, Thay puft thame vp in pryd a1570-86 Maitl. F. clxxviii 82. 1600 Hamilton Facile Tr. 138.
Albeit the spirit of arrogancie puftes vp the enimies of Christs treu kirkc. a1578 Pitsc. II 95/20.
The governour grew werie proud and so did his wickit and ewill consall quhilk allurit him and puffit [I. poussit] him fast fordwart to fight witht Inglischemend. 1681 Aberd. Council Lett. VI 319.
Elsick is hear and in the old manner puffes on this
