n. [ OE. gaffe, F. gaffe an iron hook with which seamen pull great fishes into their ships; cf. Ir. gaf, gafa hook; perh. akin to G. gabel fork, Skr. gabhasti. Cf. Gaffle, Gable. ]
v. t.
n. A socially awkward or tactless act.
n. [ Possibly contr. fr. godfather; but prob. fr. gramfer for grandfather. Cf. Gammer. ]
Go to each gaffer and each goody. Fawkes. [ 1913 Webster ]
☞ Gaffer was originally a respectful title, now degenerated into a term of familiarity or contempt when addressed to an aged man in humble life. [ 1913 Webster ]
n. [ Cf. AS. geafl fork, LG., D., Sw., & Dan. gaffel, G. gabel, W. gafl, Ir. & Gael. gabhal. Cf. Gaff. ]
n. (Naut.) A small triangular sail having its foot extended upon the gaff and its luff upon the topmast. [ 1913 Webster ]