Waft Word Meaning

early 16th century (in the sense ‘escort a ship’): back-formation from obsolete wafter (used only by opponents of the practice) ‘armed convoy vessel’, from Low German, Dutch wachter, from wachten ‘to guard’. A sense ‘convey by water’ gave rise to the current use of the verb

(with reference to a scent, sound, etc.) pass or cause to pass gently through the air

pass or cause to pass gently through air

• the smell of stale fat wafted out from the cafe
• each breeze would waft pollen round the house

a gentle movement of air.

gentle movement of air

a knotted ensign, garment, etc. displayed by a ship as a signal.

knotted ensign, garment, etc. displayed by ship as signal