An Etymological Dictionary of the Scottish Language / in which the words are explained in their different senses, authorized by the names of the writers by whom they are used, or the titles of the works in which they occur, and deduced from their originals

by John Jamieson

BUFF NOR STYE. He cou'd neither say buff nor stye, S. i. e. "He could neither say one thing nor another." It is also used, but, I suspect, improperly, in regard to one who has no activity; He has neither buff nor stye with him S. B.

Teut. bof, celeusma, a cheer made by mariners. Stye might be viewed as referring to the act of mounting the shrouds, from Su. G. stig-a, to ascend.

BUFFER, s. A foolish fellow; a term much used among young people, Clydes.

Fr. bouffard, "often puffing, strouting out, swelling with anger," Cotgr.

BUFFETS, s. pl. A swelling in the glands of the throat, Ang. ([branks], synon.) probably from Fr. bouffé, swollen.

BUFFETSTOOL, s. A stool with sides, in form of a square table with leaves, when these are folded down, S. Lincolns, id.
A. Douglas.

Fr. buffet, a sideboard; expl. by Roquefort, dressoir, which denotes a board for holding plates without box or drawer.

BUFFIE, BUFFLE, adj. Fat, purfled; applied to the face, S.

Fr. bouffé, blown up, swollen.

BUFFONS, s. pl. Pantomimic dances.