\Muff\ (m[u^]f), n. [Cf. LG. muff, D. mof, G., Dan., & Sw.
muff, F. moufle mitten, LL. muffula, MHG. mouwe sleeve, D.
mouw, and E. muffle, v.]
1. A soft cover of cylindrical form, usually of fur, worn by
   women to shield the hands from cold.
2. (Mech.) A short hollow cylinder surrounding an object, as
   a pipe.
3. (Glass Manuf.) A blown cylinder of glass which is
   afterward flattened out to make a sheet.
4. [Perhaps a different word; cf. Prov. E. maffle to
   slammer.] A stupid fellow; a poor-spirited person.
   [Colloq.] ``A muff of a curate.'' --Thackeray.
5. [See 4.] (Baseball) A failure to hold a ball when once in
   the hands.
6. (Zo["o]l.) The whitethroat. [Prov. Eng.]

\Muff\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Muffed}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Muffing}.]
To handle awkwardly; to fumble; to fail to hold, as a ball,
in catching it.