What does "puffer" mean?

Puffer: One who is employed by the owner or seller of goods sold at suction to bid up the price; a by-bidder. Bouvier.

Additional senses

  1. 2.(Zoöl.) (a) Any plectognath fish which inflates its body, as the species of Tetrodon and Diodon; -- called also blower, puff-fish, swellfish, and globefish. (b) The common, or harbor, porpoise.
  2. 3.(Dyeing) A kier.

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