Definition of damper

The word "damper" has a rich history. It originated in the 14th century from the Old French word "dampier," meaning "to stifle" or "to silence." This Old French word is derived from the Latin "damperare," which means "to calm" or "to reduce." In its earliest sense, a damper referred to a device used to silence or muffle something, such as a damper on a bell to reduce its ringing. Over time, the term took on a new meaning in the context of cooking. A damper, in this sense, is a type of bread baked in a hole in the ground or in a covered container, often used as a primitive cooking method by early settlers and aboriginal Australians. Today, the word "damper" is used in various contexts, including engineering, where it refers to a device that slows down or regulates the flow of air, gas, or liquid.