The Collaborative International Dictionary
Bluff \Bluff\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Bluffed; p. pr. & vb. n. Bluffing.]
(Poker) To deter (an opponent) from taking the risk of betting on his hand of cards, as the bluffer does by betting heavily on his own hand although it may be of less value. [U. S.]
To frighten or deter from accomplishing a purpose by making a show of confidence in one's strength or resources; as, he bluffed me off. [Colloq.]
Douglas Harper's Etymology Dictionary
1845, in the poker sense, verbal noun from bluff (v.).
Wiktionary
vb. (present participle of bluff English)
Usage examples of "bluffing".
Many argued that he was only bluffing or, at worst, intending to seize two disputed islands and the southern half of the ar-Rumaylah oilfield, which straddled the Iraq-Kuwait border.
The moderate Arabs, who claimed to understand Saddam as only brother Arabs could, reinforced this stance by advising the United States that Saddam was just bluffing, urged the administration to steer clear of the dispute and let them handle it.
Iraq was not bluffing and had the capability to overrun all of Kuwait was finally being sent out to the highest levels of the government.
In 1994, faced with hyperinflation and mounting threats to his regime, Saddam took the inexplicable step of threatening another invasion of Kuwait--and the best evidence we have, from Hussein Kamel, was that Saddam was not bluffing but genuinely intended to attack.
Whether Goering was bluffing or not, the police commander apparently believed he was not and let the column file over the bridge unmolested.
Now, at last, the Chief of the General Staff had his desired, unequivocal proof that Hitler was not bluffing, that he wanted war.
I replied that I was fully aware of the fact and that we were not bluffing either.