puff adder

noun

1. a large, thick-bodied, African viper, Bitis arietans, that inflates its body and hisses when disturbed.

2. a similar viper, B. inornata, native to southern Africa.

puff adder

noun

1. a large venomous African viper, Bitis arietans, that is yellowish-grey with brown markings and inflates its body when alarmed

2. another name for hognose snake

Word History and Origins

Origin of puff adder¹

First recorded in 1780–90