The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Puffer \Puff"er\, n.
1. One who puffs; one who praises with noisy or extravagant
commendation.
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2. One who is employed by the owner or seller of goods sold
at suction to bid up the price; a by-bidder. --Bouvier.
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3. (Zool.)
(a) Any plectognath fish which inflates its body, as the
species of Tetrodon and Diodon of the family
Tetraodontidae; -- called also blower,
puff-fish, swellfish, and globefish. 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.
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4. (Dyeing) A kier.
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The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Swellfish \Swell"fish`\, n. (Zool.)
Any plectognath fish that dilates itself, as the bur fish,
puffer, or diodon.
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The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Bur fish \Bur" fish`\ (Zool.)
A spinose, plectognath fish of the Allantic coast of the
United States (esp. Chilo mycterus geometricus) having the
power of distending its body with water or air, so as to
resemble a chestnut bur; -- called also ball fish, balloon
fish, and swellfish.
[1913 Webster]