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bluster

 [bluhs-ter]   Origin

blus·ter

   [bluhs-ter]
verb (used without object)
1.
to roar and be tumultuous, as wind.
2.
to be loud, noisy, or swaggering; utter loud, empty menaces or protests: He blusters about revenge but does nothing.
verb (used with object)
3.
to force or accomplish by blustering: He blustered his way through the crowd.

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Bluster is one of our favorite verbs.
So is peculate. Does it mean:
to steal or take dishonestly (money, esp. public funds, or property entrusted to one's care); embezzle.
to flee; abscond:
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noun
4.
boisterous noise and violence: the bluster of the streets.
5.
noisy, empty threats or protests; inflated talk: bluff and bluster.
Origin:
1520–30; perhaps < Low German blustern, blüstern to blow violently; compare Old Norse blāstr blowing, hissing

Related forms
blus·ter·er, noun
blus·ter·ing·ly, adverb
blus·ter·y, blus·ter·ous, adjective
blus·ter·ous·ly, adverb
out·blus·ter, verb (used with object)
EXPAND
un·blus·ter·ous, adjective
un·blus·ter·ous·ly, adverb
COLLAPSE

Synonyms
2. rant, brag, boast, gloat. 3. threaten, storm, bully.

Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
Cite This Source Link To bluster
Collins
World English Dictionary
bluster (ˈblʌstə)
 
—vb (foll by into)
1.  to speak or say loudly or boastfully
2.  to act in a bullying way
3.  to force or attempt to force (a person) into doing something by behaving thus
4.  (intr) (of the wind) to be noisy or gusty
 
—n
5.  boisterous talk or action; swagger
6.  empty threats or protests
7.  a strong wind; gale
 
[C15: probably from Middle Low German blüsteren to storm, blow violently]
 
'blusterer
 
—n
 
'blustering
 
—n, —adj
 
'blusteringly
 
—adv
 
'blusterously
 
—adv
 
'blustery
 
—adj
 
'blusterous
 
—adj

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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Etymonline
Word Origin & History

bluster
late 15c., from M.L.G. blüstren "to blow violently" (see blow (v.1)).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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