proofyadj.
/ˈpruːfi/, U.S. /ˈprufi/ English regional (chiefly south-western). Now rare.
Having the quality of turning out well or producing good results; spec. (of animals) likely to do well, promising; (of pasture or feed) nourishing. Cf. proof n. 5b.
ΚΠ
1848 W. Barnes Poems Rural Life in Dorset Dial. (new ed.) Gloss. Proofy, having much proof; likely to fatten.
1854 Jrnl. Royal Agric. Soc. 15 ii. 428 A cut of grass like a water-meadow of the most ‘proofy’ kind.
1888 F. T. Elworthy W. Somerset Word-bk. Proofy,..1. Of cattle or sheep—of a kind like to improve in size or condition... 2. Of land or soil—rich in fattening qualities. Very proofy ground for young stock.
1903 C. Wordsworth in Eng. Dial. Dict. IV. 629/2 [Dorset] The cow leaze at T. are more proofy than some.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2007; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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adj.1848