Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary - scoff

 I. noun  Etymology: Middle English scof, perhaps of Scandinavian origin; akin to obsolete Danish skof jest; akin to Old Frisian skof mockery  Date: 14th century  1. an expression of scorn, derision, or contempt ; gibe  2. an object of scorn, mockery, or derision  II. verb  Date: 14th century  intransitive verb to show contempt by derisive acts or language ~ed at the idea  transitive verb to treat or address with derision ; mock  • ~er noun Synonyms:  ~, jeer, gibe, fleer, sneer, flout mean to show one's contempt in derision or mockery. ~ stresses insolence, disrespect, or incredulity as motivating the derision ~ed at their concerns. jeer suggests a coarser more undiscriminating derision the crowd jeered at the prisoners. gibe implies taunting either good-naturedly or in sarcastic derision hooted and gibed at the umpire. fleer suggests grinning or grimacing derisively the saucy jackanapes fleered at my credulity. sneer stresses insulting by contemptuous facial expression, phrasing, or tone of voice sneered at anything romantic. flout stresses contempt shown by refusal to heed flouted the conventions of polite society.  III. verb  Etymology: alteration of dialect scaff to eat greedily  Date: 1846  transitive verb  1. to eat greedily ~ed dinner  2. seize — often used with up ~ed up the free gifts  intransitive verb to eat something greedily