dandruff

• dandriff (rare)

The word is first attested in 1545; the first element is obscure, but compare Yorkshire dialect, dander (skin scurf). The second element derives from a Northumbrian or East Anglian term huff or hruff, hurf (“scab”), from Old Norse hrufa. Compare Dutch roof, Luxembourgish Roff. Related with Proto-Germanic *hreubaz, *hreufaz (“rough, scabby”), source of Old English hrēofla (“leprosy, leper”). More at reef (etymology 3).

• (UK) IPA^(key): /ˈdændɹʌf/, /ˈdændɹʊf/

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dandruff (usually uncountable, plural dandruffs)

1. scaly white dead skin flakes from the human scalp; Pityriasis capitis

   Dandruff is on my collar again.

• antidandruff
• dander
• dandruffy
• devil's dandruff
• ocean dandruff

dandruff (third-person singular simple present dandruffs, present participle dandruffing, simple past and past participle dandruffed)

1. To fall or cover with white flakes, like dandruff.
   • 2014, Kaethe Schwehn, Tailings: A Memoir, page 82:

     The toaster is broken and salt is dandruffing my wool sweater.