proffer

UK: /ˈprɒfə^r/ US: /ˈprɑfɚ/ ,(prof′ər)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

prof•fer /ˈprɑfɚ/   v. 

1. to put before a person for acceptance;
   offer: [~ + object]
   He proffered his hand, but I refused to shake it.
   [~ + object + to + object]
   He proffered his hand to me.
   [~ + object + object]
   He proffered me his hand.

See -fer-.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

prof•fer  (prof′ər), v.t. 

1. to put before a person for acceptance;
   offer.

n. 

2. the act of proffering.
3. an offer or proposal.

• Anglo-French profrer, variant of Old French poroffrir, equivalent. to por- pro-¹ + offrir to offer
• Middle English profren 1250–1300

prof′fer•er, n. 
Synonyms

• 1. volunteer, propose, suggest. See offer. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

proffer / ˈprɒfə/ verb

1. (transitive) to offer for acceptance; tender

noun

1. the act of proffering

Etymology: 13th Century: from Old French proffrir, from pro-¹ + offrir to offer