Also beefen, -in, -ing, beaufin. [A dial. pronunc. of beefing, f. BEEF, in reference to the deep red color of the apple; see -ING. The spelling beaufin has been fabricated to give color to a fictitious derivation from F. beau beautiful + fin fine.]
1. A variety of cooking apple, cultivated especially in Norfolk.
1794. Godwin, Cal. Williams, 63. Frost-bitten cheeks, as red as a beefen from her own orchard.
1829. Peacock, Misf. Elphin, 180. This archetype of a Norfolk beefin.
1834. Penny Cycl., II. 190/1. For drying, the Norfolk Beaufin.
1844. Dickens, Christm. Carol, 82. Norfolk Biffins, squab and swarthy, setting off the yellow of the oranges and lemons.
2. A baked apple, of the preceding variety, flattened in the form of a cake.
1822. Kitchiner, Cook’s Oracle, 500. Dried Biffins from Norfolk.
1837. New Month. Mag., XLIX. 555. Beat his enormous head as flat as a biffin.
1858. R. Hogg, Veg. Kingd., 308. Baked in ovens, and flattened in the form of round cakes, they [apples] are called Beefings.
