Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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About this entry:
First published 1941 (SND Vol. II).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1887
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BLUFF, Blugh, v. “To blow in jerks or puffs from the mouth, to blow small objects by means of a tube; as, to bluff peas” (Sc. 1887 Jam.6; Abd.22 1935). See also Pluff. [blʌf]
Hence bluffer, blugher, n. (see quot.).Sc. 1887 Jam.6:
About the end of autumn schoolboys often amuse themselves by bluffing haw-stones at each other by means of a small tin tube, called a bluffer, or blugher, pluffer or plugher. In country districts the tube is made from a stalk of the cow-parsnip or water-dropwort.
