Chiefly Sc. [cf. next vb.] A flutter or flapping of the wings; also, a puff, gust.
1827. J. Wilson, Noct. Ambr. Wks. 1855, I. 277. The snaw was getting dour at them, and giein them sair flaffs and dads on their faces, spittin in their verra een, ruggin their noses, and blawin upon their blubbery lips, till they blistered.
1827. W. Tennant, Papistry Storm’d, 25.
| He saw, and gave his wings a flaff, | |
| And frae the cock’s kaim flotit aff. |
1833. M. Scott, Tom Cringle, xviii. 509. Merely helping themselves over the top by a small flaff of their wings. Ibid. (1834), Cruise Midge (1836), I. ii. 50. When, with a flaff and a rustling brush through the topmost leaves, he [the owl] came down overhead like a shot.
1894. Crockett, Raiders, xxxvi. 258. Locknaw may scart his fit, his act is but a flaf o’ wind.
