bamboozler

verb (used with object), bam·boo·zled, bam·boo·zling.

1. to deceive or get the better of (someone) by trickery, flattery, or the like; humbug; hoodwink (often followed by into): They bamboozled us into joining the club.
2. to perplex; mystify; confound.

verb (used without object), bam·boo·zled, bam·boo·zling.

3. to practice trickery, deception, cozenage, or the like: He bamboozled his way to the top.

verb (tr) informal

1. to cheat; mislead
2. to confuse

v.

1703, originally a slang or cant word, perhaps Scottish from bombaze “perplex,” related to bombast, or French embabouiner “to make a fool (literally ‘baboon’) of.” Related: Bamboozled; bamboozling. As a noun from 1703.