woof. (verb) To threaten, perhaps a bluff, or perhaps not.

Geneva Smitherman believes that the term arises from the traditional African American pronunciation of the word “wolf.” Wolves are, of course, threatening creatures. However, it seems almost as likely that this is onomatopoeia for the sound a dog makes when it barks. Given the ambiguous nature of the threat, as Smitherman describes it, the bark of a dog seems a more apt reference since sometimes a dog's bark really is worse than its bite.

. The Wolf is not only threatening, but certifiably dangerous, eating Red's grandmother before the tale is over. Here the Wolf threatens Red Riding Hood on the path. Dogs, on the other hand, are less predictably violent. © 2008 Jupiterimages Corporation.

Figure 2 shows a speaker system, the larger one is the woofer. © 2008 Jupiterimages Corporation.