slang. [cf. BUFFER sb.6] To swear to.
1812. J. H. Vaux, Flash Dict., s.v. Buff, To buff to a person or thing, is to swear to the identity of them.
1865. Daily Tel., 27 Feb., 6/1. ‘What robberies are you going to “buff” to me?’ That is a slang phrase, meaning ‘to charge me with, or accuse me of.’
1869. Morning Star, 3 June. They are going to send some one to ‘buff’ (own) it.
