I. ˈməf noun
Etymology: Dutch mof, from Middle French moufle mitten, from Medieval Latin muffula
Date: 1599
: a warm tubular covering for the hands
[
muff 1
]
II. verb
Etymology: probably from muff (I)
Date: 1846
transitive verb
1. : to handle awkwardly : bungle
2. : to fail to hold (a ball) when attempting a catch
intransitive verb
1. : to act or do something stupidly or clumsily
2. : to muff a ball — compare fumble
III. noun
Date: 1868
1. : a bungling performance
2. : a failure to hold a ball in attempting a catch