The Collaborative International Dictionary
Buff \Buff\, a.
Made of buff leather.
--Goldsmith.-
Of the color of buff.
Buff coat, a close, military outer garment, with short sleeves, and laced tightly over the chest, made of buffalo skin, or other thick and elastic material, worn by soldiers in the 17th century as a defensive covering.
Buff jerkin, originally, a leather waistcoat; afterward, one of cloth of a buff color. [Obs.]
--Nares.Buff stick (Mech.), a strip of wood covered with buff leather, used in polishing.
Usage examples of "buff jerkin".
A heavyset man came up, shirtless beneath a buff jerkin and swinging a five-stranded whip.
Ned bought a thick buff jerkin to wear under his armour, and had little difficulty in buying steel cap, breast and back piece, sword and pistols.
A more complete article of defensive armor was a buff jerkin or shirt of great thickness, made of doublings of elk skin, and reaching to the feet, holes being left for the head and arms.