Chaff (or /tʃæf/)'s the inedible, dry, scaly protective casings of the seeds of cereal grain, or similar fine, dry, scaly plant material such as scaly parts of flowers, or finely chopped straw. In agriculture chaff's used as livestock fodder, or's a waste material ploughed into the soil or burnt. Etymology "Chaff" comes from Middle English chaf, from Old English ceaf; related to Old High German cheva meaning husk. Grain chaff In grasses (including cereals such as rice, barley, oats an… (More on Chaff)