■ verb
1》 totally bewilder.
2》 restrain or regulate (a fluid, a sound, etc.).
■ noun a device used to restrain the flow of a fluid, gas, or loose material or to prevent the spreading of sound or light in a particular direction.
Derivatives
~ment noun
~r noun
baffling adjective
bafflingly adverb
Origin
C16 (in the sense 'cheat, deceive'): perh. related to Fr. bafouer 'ridicule' or obs. Fr. beffer 'mock, deceive'.