/ ˈwɒfl; NAmE ˈwɑːfl/ noun , verb
■ noun
1.
[ C ] a crisp flat cake with a pattern of squares on both sides, often eaten with sweet sauce, cream, etc. on top :
a waffle iron (= for making waffles with)
2.
[ U ] ( BrE , informal ) language that uses a lot of words but does not say anything important or interesting :
The report is just full of waffle.
■ verb [ v ]
1.
waffle (on) (about sth) ( BrE , informal , disapproving ) to talk or write using a lot of words but without saying anything interesting or important :
The principal waffled on about exam results but no one was listening.
2.
waffle (on / over sth) ( NAmE , informal ) to be unable to decide what to do about sth or what you think about sth :
The senator was accused of waffling on major issues.
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WORD ORIGIN
verb and noun sense 2 late 17th cent. (originally in the sense yap, yelp ): frequentative of dialect waff yelp , of imitative origin.
noun sense 1 mid 18th cent.: from Dutch wafel ; compare with wafer .