doff

English[edit]

From Middle English doffe, dof, 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.
- Shakespeare
  
  And made us doff our easy robes of peace.
- Emerson
  
  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:
  
  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.
- Crashaw:
  
  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