IPA: /ˈwɑːftər/
KK: /ˈwæftər/
A person or ship that provides protection or support, especially in maritime activities like shipping or fishing.
The wafter escorted the fishing boats safely through the stormy waters.
The word 'wafter' originates from the Old English 'waefter', meaning a person who waves or flutters. It is derived from 'waefian', meaning to wave or flutter. A wafter is someone or something that waves or flutters in the air.
Think of someone or something that 'waves' or 'flutters' — that's what a wafter does.