baffled

verb (used with object), baf·fled, baf·fling.

1. to confuse, bewilder, or perplex: He was baffled by the technical language of the instructions.
2. to frustrate or confound; thwart by creating confusion or bewilderment.
3. to check or deflect the movement of (sound, light, fluids, etc.).
4. to equip with a baffle or baffles.
5. Obsolete. to cheat; trick.

verb (used without object), baf·fled, baf·fling.

6. to struggle ineffectually, as a ship in a gale.

noun

7. something that balks, checks, or deflects.
8. an artificial obstruction for checking or deflecting the flow of gases (as in a boiler), sounds (as in the loudspeaker system of a radio or hi-fi set), light (as in a darkroom), etc.
9. any boxlike enclosure or flat panel for mounting a loudspeaker.

verb (tr)

1. to perplex; bewilder; puzzle
2. to frustrate (plans, efforts, etc)
3. to check, restrain, or regulate (the flow of a fluid or the emission of sound or light)
4. to provide with a baffle
5. obsolete to cheat or trick

noun

6. Also called: baffle board, baffle plate a plate or mechanical device designed to restrain or regulate the flow of a fluid, the emission of light or sound, or the distribution of sound, esp in a loudspeaker or microphone

v.

1540s, “to disgrace,” perhaps a Scottish respelling of bauchle “to disgrace publicly” (especially a perjured knight), which is probably related to French bafouer “to abuse, hoodwink” (16c.), possibly from baf, a natural sound of disgust, like bah (cf. German baff machen “to flabbergast”). Meaning “to bewilder, confuse” is from 1640s; that of “to defeat someone’s efforts” is from 1670s. Related: Baffled; baffling.

n.

“shielding device,” 1881, from baffle (v.).