puffer Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun delicacy that is highly dangerous because of a potent nerve poison in ovaries and liver
    pufferfish; sea squab; blowfish.
  2. noun any of numerous marine fishes whose elongated spiny body can inflate itself with water or air to form a globe; several species contain a potent nerve poison; closely related to spiny puffers
    pufferfish; globefish; blowfish.

WordNet

Puff"er noun
Definitions
  1. One who puffs; one who praises with noisy or extravagant commendation.
  2. One who is employed by the owner or seller of goods sold at suction to bid up the price; a by-bidder. Bouvier.
  3. (Zoöl.) (a) Any plectognath fish which inflates its body, as the species of Tetrodon and Diodon; -- called also blower, puff-fish, swellfish, and globefish. (of the Tetraodontidae) They are highly poisonous due to the presence of glands containing a potent toxin, tetrodotoxin. Nevertheless they are eaten as a delicacy in Japan, being prepared by specially licensed chefs who remove the poison glands. (b) The common, or harbor, porpoise.
  4. (Dyeing) A kier.

Webster 1913