doff

English[edit]

From Middle English doffen (“take off”), contraction of Old English dōn of. Equivalent to a blend of do +‎ off. Compare don, dup, dout, gauf.

doff (third-person singular simple present doffs, present participle doffing, simple past and past participle doffed)

(clothing) To remove or take off, especially of clothing.
- c. 1597, William Shakespeare, “The First Part of Henry the Fourth, […]”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies: Published According to the True Originall Copies (First Folio), London: Printed by Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, OCLC 606515358, [Act V, scene i]:
  And made us doff our easy robes of peace.
- (Can we date this quote by Emerson and provide title, author's full name, and other details?)
  At night, or in the rain, / He dons a surcoat which he doffs at morn.
- 1960, P. G. Wodehouse, Jeeves in the Offing, chapter VII:
  She had doffed the shirt and Bermuda-shorts which she had been wearing and was now dressed for her journey home.
To remove or tip a hat, as in greeting, salutation or as a mark of respect.
The rustics doffed their hats at the clergy.
To get rid of, to throw off.
Doff that stupid idea: it would never work.
- 1778, Charles Dibdin, “The Perfect Sailor”, in (Please provide the book title or journal name):
  Thus Death, who kings and tars despatches, / In vain Tom's life has doffed, / For, though his body's under hatches / His soul has gone aloft.
(reflexive) To strip; to divest; to undress.
- (Can we date this quote by Crashaw and provide title, author's full name, and other details?)
  Heaven's King, who doffs himself our flesh to wear.

to remove or take off, especially of clothing

to remove or tip a hat, as in greeting, salutation or as a mark of respect

to get rid of, to throw off