/wayf/ , n.
1. a person, esp. a child, who has no home or friends.
2. something found, esp. a stray animal, whose owner is not known.
3. a stray item or article: to gather waifs of gossip.
4. Naut. waft (def. 8).
[ 1350-1400; ME guaif stray beast) veif movement to and fro; see WAIVE ]