Plural of buffus or buffo (Italian musical term); plural reference to male opera singers or comedians.
From Italian 'buffo' (comic actor/singer), possibly from 'buffare' (to puff or swell). Used in English musical terminology.
In opera, a 'buffo' is specifically a comic bass or baritone singer—it's one of those Italian music terms that English borrowed wholesale because Italian opera was so dominant in European culture.
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