goofer

1 of 2

noun (1)

goof·​er
ˈgüfə(r)
plural -s
: goof
had a considerable understanding of goofers because … he was a little goofy himself—Esther Forbes

goofer

2 of 2

noun (2)

goo·​fer
"
variants or less commonly guffer
ˈgəfə(r)
plural -s
1
chiefly southern U.S. and African American English : a traditional conjurer or healer
especially : a voodoo doctor
2
: a curse or spell
put the goofer on us—J. S. Redding

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

goof entry 1 + -er

Noun (2)

of African origin; akin to Mende ngafa spirit, ghost, Ewe ga3fe3 shrine of a god, Fon kafo iron fetish

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Dictionary Entries Near goofer

goofball

goofer

goofer dust

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Goofer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/goofer. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.

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