Green’s Dictionary of Slang

‘an exclamation attributed to a swaggerer or bully, esp. when introduced on the stage’ (OED).

c.1485		‘Mary Magdalene’ Digby Mysteries I line 491: Hof hof hof, a frysch new galavnt.
1512		Hickscorner Civ: Huffe huffe huffe who sent after me I am Imagynacyon full of jolyte.
1519		J. Rastell The Four Elements line 417: With huffa, galand, synge tyrll on the bery And let the wyde worlde wynde.
c.1550		C. Bansley Pryde and Abuse of Women line 117: Huffa! goldylocx, joly lusty golylocx; A wanton tricker is come to towne, Wyth a doublle fardingale and a caped cassoc.
c.1557		Interlude of Youth line 210: Huffa, huffa who calleth after me?
1584		Three Ladies of London II: Huffe once aloft and if I may hit the right vayne [...] I will flaunt it and braue it.