Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
Wiktionary
n. a light, flaky pastry that is made by repeatedly folding the rolled pastry into many layers
Wikipedia
Puff pastry, also known as , is a flaky light pastry containing several layers of fat which is in solid state at 20 °C (68 °F). In raw form, puff pastry is a laminated dough composed of two elements: a "dough packet", the and a "butter packet" or other solid fat, the Preparing a classic puff pastry requires an envelope formed by placing the beurrage inside the détrempe. An "inverse puff" pastry envelope places the détrempe inside the beurrage. The resulting is repeatedly folded and rolled out before baking.
The gaps that form between the layers left by the fat melting are pushed (leavened) by the water turning into steam during the baking process. Piercing the dough will prevent excessive puffing, and crimping along the sides will prevent the layers from flaking all of the way to the edges.
Usage examples of "puff pastry".
She frowned, selected a confection of puff pastry and cream with fruit.
It shuddered visibly and took the form of a knobby tree root, except that it was made of puff pastry.
Ned gave Cole a look of disgust, then muttered something about pasta not being a person and Cole probably couldn't tell puff pastry from strudel dough, but he went back into the empty saloon and sat down.