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to confuse, bewilder, or perplex:
He was baffled by the technical language of the instructions.
to frustrate or confound; thwart by creating confusion or bewilderment.
to check or deflect the movement of (sound, light, fluids, etc.).
to equip with a baffle or baffles.
Obsolete. to cheat; trick.
to struggle ineffectually, as a ship in a gale.
something that balks, checks, or deflects.
an artificial obstruction for checking or deflecting the flow of gases (as in a boiler), sounds (as in the loudspeaker system of a radio or hi-fi set), light (as in a darkroom), etc.
any boxlike enclosure or flat panel for mounting a loudspeaker.
Contemporary Examples

It was no good to set broad goals for agencies: those goals tended to contradict each other—or else to baffle the agency itself.
James Q. Wilson, 1931-2012 David Frum March 2, 2012

The singer-actress admits the debate continues to offend and baffle her.
Jill Scott’s Soul Searching Allison Samuels June 21, 2011

With only two young witnesses, no clear motive, and no identified suspect, the case continues to baffle authorities.
Alps Murder Victims Pasts Probed by Cops Barbie Latza Nadeau September 21, 2012

This hidden Eden continues to baffle geologists with its oculus of volcanic stone.
What Made Mexico’s Most Mysterious Beach? Brandon Presser October 13, 2014

That decision continues to baffle some law enforcement officials nearly two decades later.
New Revelations in JonBenet’s Unsolved Death Carol McKinley October 24, 2013

Historical Examples

The lower end of the shell is provided with a baffle plate O, which tends to keep the oil away from the mica.
Aviation Engines Victor Wilfred Pag

I have baffled them now for nearly a year, and I can baffle them still.
The Hunted Outlaw Anonymous

It was Carmena, every nerve of her loyal nature on the alert to baffle this pursuer of Alessandro and Ramona.
Ramona Helen Hunt Jackson

Now I like to baffle them—to leave them something to struggle with.
A Day with Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy George Sampson

The ups and downs of business distracted him but did not baffle him.
A History of American Literature Percy H. Boynton

verb (transitive)
to perplex; bewilder; puzzle
to frustrate (plans, efforts, etc)
to check, restrain, or regulate (the flow of a fluid or the emission of sound or light)
to provide with a baffle
(obsolete) to cheat or trick
noun
Also called baffle board, baffle plate. a plate or mechanical device designed to restrain or regulate the flow of a fluid, the emission of light or sound, or the distribution of sound, esp in a loudspeaker or microphone
v.

1540s, “to disgrace,” perhaps a Scottish respelling of bauchle “to disgrace publicly” (especially a perjured knight), which is probably related to French bafouer “to abuse, hoodwink” (16c.), possibly from baf, a natural sound of disgust, like bah (cf. German baff machen “to flabbergast”). Meaning “to bewilder, confuse” is from 1640s; that of “to defeat someone’s efforts” is from 1670s. Related: Baffled; baffling.
n.

“shielding device,” 1881, from baffle (v.).