/moh fet"/ ; Fr. /maw fet"/ , n.
1. a noxious emanation, consisting chiefly of carbon dioxide, escaping from the earth in regions of nearly extinct volcanic activity.
2. one of the openings or fissures from which this emanation issues.
Also, moffette .
[ 1815-25; moffetta (Neapolitan mufeta ), equiv. to muff ( a ) (Upper It mofa ) mould ( Muff mould, late MHG müffeln to give off a foul smell) + -etta -ETTA ]