Green’s Dictionary of Slang

a fool; thus buffling adj., foolish.

1580		Beehive of the Romish Churche fo. 66b: An unlearned buffle did babble [F&H].
1607		J. Cleland Hērō-paideia 32: My Son hath a sharpe wit, but his Tutor is a Buffle: my Son hath a good memorie, but his Tutor wil not excercise it.
1611		L. Barry Ram-Alley V i: And I ingag’d my worth, and ventur’d life On yonder buffolne face, to have men scorne, And point at my disgrace.
1644		J. Booker A rope for a parret 3: [Y]ou use not the Rule of falsehood, you Logarithme, you Birken, Buffle, Rattlehead.
1655		‘Du Parc’ (trans.) Comical Hist. of Francion Bk iv 22: He said to the three buffles who stood with their hats in their hands. Tell me, you Wagges, Is not my page a gallant Boy?
1710		‘Westminster Combat’ in Political Ballads in Wilkins (1860) II 90: To see the chief attorney such a buffle.
1732		Progress of a Rake 30: The Rattle in the Throat, and Snuffle / In Nose, so needful for a Buffle.
1822		R. Nares Gloss. (1888) I 117: buffle. A fool; a heavy, stupid fellow.
1999		Roger’s Profanisaurus 3 in Viz 98 Oct. 21: muck savage n. A bumpkin; a buffle; a cabbagehead. See joskin.