sound of a puff of breath or air, 1824, imitative.
poof n.2
"effeminate man, male homosexual," c. 1850, perhaps a corruption of puff. The Australian extended form poofter is attested from 1910.
Entries linking to poof
puff n.
c. 1200, puf, puffe, perhaps from Old English, pyf "short, quick blast of wind; act of puffing," from puff (v.). Meaning "type of light pastry" is recorded from late 14c.; that of "small pad of a downy or flossy texture for applying powder to skin or hair" is from 1650s.
From 1560s in the figurative sense of "empty or vain boast;" the meaning "flattery, inflated praise" is recorded from 1732. Derogatory use for "homosexual male" is recorded by 1902 (compare poof (n.2)).