[cof.fer] n [ME coffre, fr. OF, fr. L cophinus basket, fr. Gk kophinos] (13c) 1: chest, box; esp: strongbox
2: treasury--usu. used in pl.
3: a recessed panel in a vault, ceiling, or soffit
[2]coffer vt (14c) 1: to store or hoard up in a coffer
2: to form (as a ceiling) with recessed panels