Hum"bug` (?), n. [Prob. fr. hum to impose on, deceive + bug a frightful object.] 1. An imposition under fair pretenses; something contrived in order to deceive and mislead; a trick by cajolery; a hoax.

2. A spirit of deception; cajolery; trickishness.

3. One who deceives or misleads; a deceitful or trickish fellow; an impostor. Sir J. Stephen.

Hum"bug`, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Humbugged (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Humbugging (?).] To deceive; to impose; to cajole; to hoax.

• To deceive, or impose on one by some story or device.
  
• a jocular imposition, or deception.