Sentence:  Here the duke is made the vehicle of the tailor's advertisement, and the prelusive compliments, ostensibly meant for his grace, merge into a covert recommendation of the coat. Several specimens might be given of this species of <WSD>puff</WSD>, which is to be met with in almost every paper, and is a favourite form with booksellers, professional men, &c. 
Meaning of the word marked with <WSD> tags:  A puffer, one who is employed by the owner or seller of goods sold at auction to bid up the price; an act or scam of that type.