[waif] n [ME, fr. ONF, adj., lost, unclaimed, prob. of Scand origin; akin to ON veif something flapping, veifa to be in movement--more at wipe] (14c) 1 a: a piece of property found (as washed up by the sea) but unclaimed b pl: stolen goods thrown away by a thief in flight
2. a: something found without an owner and esp. by chance b: a stray person or animal; esp: a homeless child -- waif.like adj
[2]waif n (1530): waft
4.