bluff charge1
/ˈblʌf ˌtʃɑːdʒ/noun
An instance of a large animal moving aggressively toward a potential threat or prey, then abruptly stopping without attacking.
Origin
Early 20th century. From bluff + charge.
bluff-charge2
/ˈblʌftʃɑːdʒ/verb
1 [no object] Of a large animal: to move aggressively toward a potential threat or prey, then abruptly stop without attacking; to perform a bluff charge.
2 [with object] Of a large animal: to move aggressively toward (a potential threat or prey), then abruptly stop without attacking.
Origin
1970s; earliest use found in World's Cats. From bluff + charge, after bluff charge.