%waft%

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Wafted; p. pr. & vb. n. Wafting. ] [ Prob. originally imp. & p. p. of wave, v. t. See Wave to waver. ] 1. To give notice to by waving something; to wave the hand to; to beckon. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

But soft: who wafts us yonder? Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To cause to move or go in a wavy manner, or by the impulse of waves, as of water or air; to bear along on a buoyant medium; as, a balloon was wafted over the channel. [ 1913 Webster ]

A gentle wafting to immortal life. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

Speed the soft intercourse from soul to soul,
And waft a sigh from Indus to the pole. Pope. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. To cause to float; to keep from sinking; to buoy. [ Obs. ] Sir T. Browne. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ This verb is regular; but waft was formerly som&unr_;times used, as by Shakespeare, instead of wafted. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. To be moved, or to pass, on a buoyant medium; to float. [ 1913 Webster ]

And now the shouts waft near the citadel. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. A wave or current of wind. “Everywaft of the air.” Longfellow. [ 1913 Webster ]

In this dire season, oft the whirlwind's wing
Sweeps up the burden of whole wintry plains
In one wide waft. Thomson. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A signal made by waving something, as a flag, in the air. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. An unpleasant flavor. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

4. (Naut.) A knot, or stop, in the middle of a flag. [ Written also wheft. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ A flag with a waft in it, when hoisted at the staff, or half way to the gaff, means, a man overboard; at the peak, a desire to communicate; at the masthead, “Recall boats.” [ 1913 Webster ]

n. Conveyance on a buoyant medium, as air or water. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

Boats prepared for waftage to and fro. Drayton. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. One who, or that which, wafts. [ 1913 Webster ]

O Charon,
Thou wafter of the soul to bliss or bane. Beau. & FL. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A boat for passage. Ainsworth. [ 1913 Webster ]