## Etymology
The 'deceive' sense is from Dutch bluffen ('to brag, boast'), via American poker slang of the 19th century. The 'steep cliff' sense and the adjective 'broad, frank' are probably also of Dutch nautical origin (blaf, 'flat, broad').

## AI Etymology
Bluff is a verb, noun and adjective meaning "to deceive by pretending confidence or strength; a steep cliff". Historically, it is the 'deceive' sense is from Dutch bluffen ('to brag, boast'), via American poker slang of the 19th century. The 'steep cliff' sense and the adjective 'broad, frank' are probably also of Dutch nautical origin (blaf, 'flat, broad'). The older history should therefore be treated cautiously rather than as settled. The semantic history matters here: the earlier use is the starting point, and the modern sense, "to deceive by pretending confidence or strength; a steep cliff", is the later or specialized English value. The historical chain is anchored in Dutch bluffen. Close English family members include bluffer, and bluffing.

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