Buffoon

[Fr. bouffon, Sp. bufone, It. buffone, buffo, either from Fr. bouffer, to puff out, Pr., Sp., & Pg. bufar, to blow, to puff, because the buffoons puffed out their cheeks for the amusement of the spectators; or from buff, because they amused them by buffing or cuffing each other; or from It. buffa, Sp. bufa, joke, trifle, nonsense.] A man who makes a practice of amusing others by low tricks, antic gestures and postures, jokes, and other vulgar pleasantries; a droll; a mimic; a harlequin; a mountebank; a clown.

No prince would think himself greatly honored to have his proclamation canvassed on a public stage, and become the sport of buffoons. Watts.

To act the part of a buffoon. [Rare.]

Characteristic of a buffoon. To divert the audience with buffoon postures and antic dances. Melmoth.