verb
buffalo
BUHF-uhl-oh
verb
1
To intimidate, confuse, or trick someone, often to pressure them into doing something.
"Don't let the salesman buffalo you into buying the extended warranty."
2
To hunt buffalo.
"Nineteenth-century hunters buffaloed across the plains for hides and meat."
How to Use Buffalo
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishAs a verb, it usually means to bully or bluff someone into backing down or agreeing to something.
Common mistake
The verb sense (to intimidate) is distinct from and much rarer than the everyday noun "buffalo" (the animal).
Word Forms
buffaloed past tense, buffaloes singular
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Etymology
Borrowed via Portuguese or Spanish "búfalo," ultimately from Ancient Greek "boubalos," referring to an antelope or wild ox.