Obs. or dial. [Belongs to BLUFF v.1: analogically with bridle, bit, blind, cover, either the verb or the sb. might come first and give rise to the other; here the accessible evidence is in favor of the priority of the verb, though, in the obscurity of the etymology, certainty is not at present possible.]
1. A blinker for a horse.
1777. Darwin, Squinting, in Phil. Trans., LXVIII. 88. Bluffs used on coach-horses.
1881. Evans, Leicestersh. Gloss. (E. D. S.), Bluft, anything used to cover the eyes, such as a blinker for a horse, a board fastened in front of the eyes of a bull or cow to prevent its running, the handkerchief used to bandage the eyes in blind-man’s-buff, &c.
2. slang. ‘An excuse.’ Mayhew, Lond. Labour, I. 217 (in a list of slang words). ? A false excuse intended to blindfold or hoodwink, a ‘blind.’
3. The action of bluffing at cards, in the game of poker; see BLUFF v.1 and cf. BRAG. Hence, challenging or boastful language or demeanor, not intended to be carried out, but merely ‘tried on’ with the design of frightening or influencing an opponent who allows himself to be imposed upon by it. (First used in U.S.)
1848–60. Bartlett, Dict. Amer., Bluff, a game of cards. So in Webster 1864.
1866. Harvard Mem. Biographies, I. 400. It is a very magnificent game of Bluff that we are playing.
1883. L’pool Daily Post, 22 Jan. The whole is a bluff to influence the … election next week.
1883. Pall Mall Gaz., 3 Nov., 1/1. A bold bit of play in the game of bluff … between St. Petersburg and Sophia.
1884. Boston (U.S.) Jrnl., 25 Sept. The offer was only a bluff.
