I. ˈchaf noun
Etymology: Middle English chaf, from Old English ceaf; akin to Old High German cheva husk
Date: before 12th century
1. : the seed coverings and other debris separated from the seed in threshing grain
2. : something comparatively worthless
3. : the scales borne on the receptacle among the florets in the heads of many composite plants
4. : material (as strips of foil or clusters of fine wires) ejected into the air for reflecting radar waves (as for confusing an enemy's radar detection)
• chaffy ˈcha-fē adjective
II. noun
Etymology: probably from chaff (I)
Date: 1821
: light jesting talk : banter
III. verb
Date: 1827
transitive verb
: to tease good-naturedly
intransitive verb
: jest , banter