chaffer

UK: /ˈtʃæfə/ US: (chaf′ər)

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

chaf•fer¹  (chaf′ər), n. 

1. bargaining;
   haggling.

v.i. 

2. to bargain;
   haggle:
   to chaffer over a price.
3. to bandy words;
   chatter:
   to chaffer about nothing in particular.

v.t. 

4. to bandy (words).
5. [Obs.] to trade or deal in;
   barter.

• 1175–1225; Middle English chaffare, derivative of chapfare trading journey, equivalent. to Old English cēap trade (see cheap) + faru journey; see fare

chaff′er•er, n. 

chaf•fer²  (chaf′ər), n. 

1. a person who chaffs or banters.

• chaff² + -er¹ 1850–55

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

chaffer / ˈtʃæfə/ verb

1. (intransitive) to haggle or bargain
2. to chatter, talk, or say idly; bandy (words)

noun

1. haggling or bargaining

Etymology: 13th Century chaffare, from chep bargain + fare journey; see cheap, fare

ˈchafferer noun