puffer

puffer
    n 1: delicacy that is highly dangerous because of a potent nerve
         poison in ovaries and liver [syn: {blowfish}, {sea squab},
         {puffer}, {pufferfish}]
    2: any of numerous marine fishes whose elongated spiny body can
       inflate itself with water or air to form a globe; several
       species contain a potent nerve poison; closely related to
       spiny puffers [syn: {puffer}, {pufferfish}, {blowfish},
       {globefish}]
    

Puffer \Puff"er\, n.
   1. One who puffs; one who praises with noisy or extravagant
      commendation.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. One who is employed by the owner or seller of goods sold
      at suction to bid up the price; a by-bidder. --Bouvier.
      [1913 Webster]

   3. (Zool.)
      (a) Any plectognath fish which inflates its body, as the
          species of {Tetrodon} and {Diodon} of the family
          {Tetraodontidae}; -- called also {blower},
          {puff-fish}, {swellfish}, and {globefish}. They are
          highly poisonous due to the presence of glands
          containing a potent toxin, {tetrodotoxin}.
          Nevertheless they are eaten as a delicacy in Japan,
          being prepared by specially licensed chefs who remove
          the poison glands.
      (b) The common, or harbor, porpoise.
          [1913 Webster]

   4. (Dyeing) A kier.
      [1913 Webster]
    

PUFFER, commerce, contracts. A person employed by the owner of property 
which is sold at auction to bid it up, who does so accordingly, for the 
purpose of raising the price upon bona fide bidders. 
     2. This is a fraud which at the choice of the purchaser invalidates the 
sale. 5 Madd. R. 37, 440; 3 Madd. R. 112; 12 Ves. 483; l Fonb. Eq. 227, n; 2 
Kent, Com. 423; 11 Serg. & Rawle, 86; Cowp. 395; 3 Ves. jun. 628; 6 T. R. 
642; 2 Bro. C. C. 326; 3 T. R. 93, 95; 1 P. A. Browne, Rep. 346; 2 Hayw. R. 
328; Sugd. Vend. 16; 4 Harr. & McH. 282; 2 Dev. 126; 2 Const. Rep. 821;. 3 
Marsh. 526.