[muff] n [D mof, fr. MF moufle mitten, fr. ML muffula] (1599) 1: a warm tubular covering for the hands
2: a cluster of feathers on the side of the face of some domestic fowls
[2]muff vb [prob. fr. [1]muff] vt (1827) 1: to handle awkwardly: bungle
2: to fail to hold (a ball) when attempting a catch ~ vi 1: to act or do something stupidly or clumsily
2: to muff a ball--compare fumble [3]muff n (1871) 1: a bungling performance
2: a failure to hold a ball in attempting a catch