zel)

i. & t. [Said by some to be of gipsy origin, but this statement is unsupported by evidence. The word appears in the early part of the eighteenth century, and is mentioned in the Tatler (No. 230) among "certain words invented by some pretty fellows." Bam may be either the source, or an abbreviation, of the longer word.] A. In trans.: Intentionally to involve a subject in mystery or perplexity. To do so especially in money matters for purposes of fraud. "After Nick had bamboozled about the money, John called for the counters."-Arbuthnot: John Bull. B. Transitive: 1. To mystify for purposes of deceit. "Let no one be bamboozled by this kind of talk."Edward A. Freeman Times , Feb. 10, 1877. 2. To cheat, to swindle. *băm-boo'-zle, s. [BAMBOOZLE, v.] Mystery, trickery, cheating, swindling. băm-bôo'-zled, * băm-bôu'-zled (zled as zeld), pa . par . [BAMBOOZLE, v.] băm-booz-ler, s. [Eng. bamboozl (e); -er.) One who bamboozles; a cheat, a swindler. ( Vulgar .) "There are a set of fellows they call banterers and bamboozlers that play such tricks."- Arbuthnot .