v. Obs. [OE. wlaffian, of imitative origin. Cf. ME. blaffere, blaffoorde ‘traulus’ (Promp. Parv., 37).] intr. To stammer; to speak indistinctly. Hence † Wlaffer, † Wlaffing vbl. sb. and ppl. a. Also † Wlaffering vlb. sb. (? erron.).
1025–50. Rule Chrodegang, lx. (1916), 74. Of þam deafiað þa earan & wleaffað seo tunge.
a. 1300. in Horstmann, Altengl. Leg. (1875), 119. An old mon he fond, Bleryid & wlaffing.
c. 1325. Gloss. W. de Bibbesw., in Wright, Voc., 173. A checun mot l’un balbeye, gloss wlaffes.
1340. Ayenb., 262. And þeruore ich ne ssolde by bote a wlaffere ne zigge þing to þe uolle.
c. 1340. Nominale (Skeat), 84. Man drauelith and wlaffyth.
1387. Trevisa, Higden (Rolls), II. 159. By comyxtioun … wiþ Danes and … Normans, in meny þe contray longage is apayred, and som vseþ straunge wlafferynge [Caxton wlaffyng].
