doff

Doff is a verb in English meaning to remove an item of clothing or headwear, especially to take off a hat as a gesture of respect or greeting. It can also refer to shedding clothing more generally. The present tense is doffs, the past tense doffed, and the present participle or gerund is doffing. The noun form doff is uncommon, but doffing is widely used when describing the action.

Historically, doff is a formal or literary term now, with phrases such as doff one’s hat or doffing one’s cap historically used to indicate respect. The expression has largely fallen out of everyday speech in modern times, though it remains recognizable in literature, formal prose, and ceremonial contexts.

Etymology and origin of the word are uncertain, but doff is attested in English from the early modern period and likely arose from a construction meaning to throw off or take off clothing. Over time it came to denote the specific act of removing garments or headgear.

In contemporary usage, doffing is also a technical term in occupational safety and healthcare, referring to the careful removal of personal protective equipment to minimize contamination. This doffing process is governed by protocols to ensure safety and hygiene in settings such as laboratories, hospitals, and cleanrooms.

Related terms include don, the opposite meaning to put on clothing, and the phrase doff one’s cap, which persists in cultural or rhetorical contexts as a nod to traditional etiquette.