staffiert (stafier)

[= D. staffier, an attendant, dim. stafetta, a little stirrup, a courier, > Sp. Pg. estaffeta = F. estafette, > D. estafette = G. staffette = Sw. stafett = Dan. stafet, a courier), OHG. stapfo, staffo, MHG. G. stapfe, a footstep (also a stirrup?), Before the dame, and round about, March'd whifflers and staff i ers on foot, With lackies, grooms, valets, and pages, In fit and proper equipages. S. Butler, Hudibras, II. ii. 650. staffisht (staf'ish), a. [In Sc. corruptly staffage;