be·fool \bə̇, bē+\transitive verb (-ed/-ing/-s) Etymology:be- + fool, n. 1. a.: to make a fool of : cause to appear foolish < befooling a pedant with questions > b.: to lead on or astray especially into something foolish or stupid c.: to cause to believe something false : deceive < the masses … browbeaten and befooled by bureaucrats — A.R.Williams > 2.obsolete: to call (a person) a fool Synonyms:see dupe