Words: baffle [AHED]

TRANSITIVE VERB: 1. To frustrate or check (a person) as by confusing or perplexing; stymie. 2. To impede the force or movement of.
NOUN: 1. A usually static device that regulates the flow of a fluid or light. 2. A partition that prevents interference between sound waves in a loudspeaker.
ETYMOLOGY: Perhaps blend of Scottish Gaelic bauchle, to denounce, revile publicly, and French bafouer, to ridicule.