waft

Meanings

1. To (cause to) float easily or gently through the air.
2. To be moved, or to pass, on a buoyant medium; to float.
3. To give notice to by waving something; to wave the hand to; to beckon.

1. A light breeze.
2. Something (such as an odor or perfume) that is carried through the air.
3. A flag used to indicate wind direction or, with a knot tied in the center, as a signal; a waif, a wheft.
4. A loose noncommittal shot, usually played to a ball pitched short of length and well wide of the off stump.

Etymology

From Middle English waften, of uncertain origin. Possibly from unattested Old English *wafettan, from wafian (“to wave”) + -ettan, or perhaps borrowed from Middle Dutch wachten (“to guard, provide for”). See also German wabern (“to waft”), Faroese veiftra (“to wave”) and Icelandic váfa (“to fluctuate, waver, doubt”).