I. chaf·fer ˈchafə(r), -aif- noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English chaffare, cheffare, cheapfare, from chep trade, bargaining + fare journey — more at cheap , fare
1. obsolete
a. : buying and selling : trade
b. : articles of merchandise : wares
2. archaic : a haggling about price : bargaining
II. chaffer verb
( chaffered ; chaffered ; chaffering -f(ə)riŋ ; chaffers )
Etymology: Middle English chaffaren, from chaffare, bargain, noun
intransitive verb
1. obsolete : to buy and sell : do business : trade
2. : to discuss terms : haggle especially over a price : bargain
the … ruffian with whom he had chaffered to move in the piano — Marcia Davenport
chaffer over the price of the room — C.S.Forester
3. Britain : to exchange small talk : chat , chatter
transitive verb
1. obsolete
a. : to buy or sell : deal in trading
chaffer high offices of state
b. : exchange , barter
chaffer honor for gold
2. : to bargain for : alter (as a price) by bargaining — often used with down
slash prices in half and chaffer them down to nothing — Johannesburg Sunday Express
III. chaff·er ˈchafə(r), -aaf-, -aif-, -ȧf- noun
( -s )
Etymology: chaff (I) + -er
: a usually adjustable sieve at the rear end of the grain pan of a threshing machine