'rebuff' originates from Italian, specifically the word 'ribuffare', where 'ri-' meant 'again' and 'buffare' meant 'to puff'.

'ribuffare' transformed into the French word 'rebuffer', and eventually became the modern English word 'rebuff' through Middle English.

Initially, it meant 'to puff back or repel', but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'reject or refuse'.