Definition of the word puffer

The word "puffer" is derived from an Old English term called "puffor," which means "diver." This term was used to describe the unique behavior of some marine creatures, which were observed to inflate their bodies with water and air to either intimidate predators, attract mates, or conserve energy by reducing their metabolic rate. The term "puffer" originated in the Middle English era (around 1400 AD) and was applied to a group of fish, known as puffers or blowfish, that belonged to the family Tetraodontidae. Pufferfish are characterized by their ability to rapidly inflate their bodies with water and air when threatened or startled. This behavior helps them to appear larger and less edible to predators, allowing them to escape danger. The origin of the name "puffer" is linked to the expansion of the air sacs in the fish's body, which causes them to resemble a puffer or cushion. The scientific name for pufferfish, Tetraodontidae, comes from Greek words "tetra," which means "four," and "odous," meaning "teeth," referring to the unique characteristic of possessing four pairs of sharp teeth in their jaws. Pufferfish are also known as blowfish, balloonfish, swellfish, globefish, and sea squab, among other names, and are found in the waters of all oceans, except for the polar regions. Some species of pufferfish are considered delicacies in certain parts of the world, despite their poisonous properties, as their venomous organs (the ovaries and liver) are removed before consumption.