puffer

[ puhf-er ]

noun

1. a person or thing that puffs.
2. Also called blowfish, globefish. any of various fishes of the family Tetraodontidae, capable of inflating the body with water or air until it resembles a globe, the spines in the skin becoming erected: several species contain the potent nerve poison tetrodotoxin.
3. a warm and lightweight jacket, coat, or vest with sections separated by quilted stitching and filled with down or synthetic fibers.

puffer

/ ˈpʌfə /

noun

1. a person or thing that puffs
2. Also calledglobefish any marine plectognath fish of the family Tetraodontidae, having an elongated spiny body that can be inflated to form a globe

Word History and Origins

Origin of puffer¹

First recorded in 1620–30; puff + -er ¹

Example Sentences

So, he decided to do something about it, making a puffer jacket and a shell that he hoped more people could afford.

From Outside Online

This classic men’s puffer jacket is the perfect layer for cold-weather activities, while also allowing you to show off your personal style.

From Outside Online

The fact that your interviewer went into puffer fish mode and tried to shame you for committing some alleged breach of business etiquette should absolutely trip your warning system.

From Washington Post

Triggerfish and puffer fish suffered a mass extinction, and it took nearly 20 million years for these swimmers to evolve enough new species to regain their lost diversity.

From Popular-Science

So I throw a Sherpa moment or puffer over that and I’m good to go.

From Essence.com

Asked what three items he still had to have in his suitcase, Zee said: “The boots, the puffer jacket, and a pair of solid jeans.”

From The Daily Beast

The Herland 33-inch pole high-pressure expansive steam puffer-engine commenced its up-stroke with steam of 150 lbs.

From Project Gutenberg

We could hear the puffer blowing at Gurlyn, five or six miles from the Herland Mine.

From Project Gutenberg

This high-pressure puffer pumping engine at Greenwich, in 1803, worked a pump of 18 inches in diameter.

From Project Gutenberg

At that time one of his high-pressure puffer-engines, with a cylindrical boiler and internal tube, was working in Staffordshire.

From Project Gutenberg

The Greenwich high-pressure puffer-engine did fourteen millions of duty with a bushel of coals, 84 lbs.

From Project Gutenberg