The word buffet has two completely unrelated meanings:

1. A meal where food is laid out on tables and people serve themselves whatever they want. At a buffet, you might find hot dishes, salads, desserts, and drinks all displayed together. You walk along with your plate, choosing what looks good. Buffets appear at parties, hotels, and restaurants. The word can also refer to the piece of furniture where food is displayed, sometimes called a sideboard.
2. To strike repeatedly or push around with force, pronounced “BUFF-it” instead of “buh-FAY.” When ocean waves buffet a boat, they slam against it from different directions. Strong winds can buffet an airplane, making it shake and dip. A boxer might buffet an opponent with quick punches. The word suggests being hit or pushed multiple times, often from various angles, like when you're trying to walk in a powerful windstorm and gusts keep shoving you around.