Obs. [App. an alteration of WAFF v.1, perh. due to the pa. t. or pa. pple. waft.]
1. trans. To wave (the hand or something held in the hand), esp. as a signal.
1604. E. G[rimstone], D’Acosta’s Hist. Indies, VII. xvi. 540. They were accustomed in their elections to make great feasts and dances, where they wafted many lightes.
1636. Heywood, Loves Mistr., I. i. Shee now hath climb’d the Rock, And wafts her hand.
absol. a. 1648. Ess. Death, in Bacon’s Remaines, 10. These wait upon the shore of death, and waft unto him to draw neer.
b. To signal to (a person, etc.) by waving the hand or something held in the hand. Also, of a flag.
1578. G. Best, in Hakluyt’s Voy. (1600), III. 63. We espied certaine of the countrey people … with a flag wafting vs backe againe.
1590. Shaks., Com. Err., II. ii. 111. But soft, who wafts vs yonder.
1592. Kyd, Sol. & Pers., I. iii. 116. Hee that will try me, let him waft me with his arme.
1606. Chapman, Gentl. Usher, I. ii. 177. Till you can directly boord him, Waft him aloofe with hats and other favours.
1607. Shaks., Timon, I. i. 70. One do I personate of Lord Timons frame, Whom Fortune with her Iuory hand wafts to her.
1608. Middleton, Mad World, III. ii. F 1. The hayre about the hat is as good as a flag vppo’ th pole at a common Playhouse to waft company.
1645. Stapylton, trans. Musæus, A 4 b. The Tow’r where Sestian Hero lay, And held the Torch, wafting Leander o’re.
1670. Narborough, Jrnl., in Acc. Sev. Late Voy., I. (1694), 49. They saw seven people … making a noise and wafting them to the ship.
a. 1719. Garth, Ovid’s Met., XIV. Wks. (1790), 134. At length a sail I wafted, and aboard My fortune found an hospitable lord.
c. To move (something) aside with a wave of the hand.
1781. Cowper, Hope, 570. Now, truth, perform thine office; waft aside The curtain drawn by prejudice and pride.
2. To turn (the eyes) aside with a disdainful movement. nonce-use.
1611. Shaks., Wint. T., I. ii. 372. When hee Wafting his eyes to th’ contrary, and falling A Lippe of much contempt, speedes from me.
3. intr. To move to and fro, to wave. Obs.
1650. Jer. Taylor, Funeral Serm. C’tess Carbery, 4. The face of the waters wafting in a storm, so wrinkles it self, that it makes upon its forehead furrows.
