1596. Nashe, Lenten Stuffe (Grosart, Works, v., 306). The
huff-cappes to drink in that house, thou shalt be sure of always.
1630. Taylor, Wks. But ’tis a maxime mortals cannot hinder, The
doughty deeds of Wakefield’s huffe-cap Pinder Are not so pleasant
as the faire Aurora, When Nimrod rudely plaid on his bandora.
1687. Clifford, Notes upon Dryden, letter 2. Prethee tell me true,
was not this huff-cap once the Indian emperour, and at another time
did not he call himself Maximine?
1706. Farquhar, Recruiting Officer, v., 6. You have made a fine
speech good Captain Huff-cap.
Adj. (old).—Swaggering; blustering; rousing.
1597. Hall, Satires, i., 3. Graced with huff-cap terms and
thundering threats.
Huffer, subs. (old).—A swaggerer.
1682. Banks, Vertue Betrayed, Prol. lines 23–4. Welcome
mask-teazer, peevish gamster, huffer: All fools, but politicians,
we can suffer.
1770. Lord Hailes, Ancient Scottish Poetry, note on ‘Seven Deadly
Sins,’ line 34. Huffers (or threateners), boasters, and they who
pick quarrels.
Huffle, verb. (venery).—1. To bag-pipe (q.v.).