- buffet (n.)
- "table," 1718, from Fr. bufet "bench, stool, sideboard," 12c., of uncertain origin. Sense extended 1888 to "meal served from a buffet."
- buffet (v.)
- early 13c., from O.Fr. bufet "slap, punch," dim. of bufe "a blow, puff of wind," probably echoic of the sound of something soft being hit.
- rebuff (v.)
- 1586, from obs. Fr. rebuffer "to check, snub," from It. ribuffare "to check, chide, snide," from ribuffo "a snub," from ri- "back" (from L. re-) + buffo "a puff," of imitative origin (cf. buffet (v.)). The noun is first recorded 1611.