Need definitions for unusual words

[Kristine Littrell <KMT7652@RITVAX.ISC.RIT.EDU>]

A senior teacher in our English department has encountered two words in
pieces of literature he teaches which we have been unable to find listed
in any of the usual resources.  I have the old OED and a good unabridged
dictionary.  He is interested in the Internet and if we can answer his
question I know he will be most impressed.
The first word is dockle, a word referring to a character in A Tree Grows
in Brooklyn, and the second is bruffing, a sound in The Catbird Seed by
Thurber.  I suggested that the respective authors made these words up, but
he is not buying that explanation.
Thanks.
Kristine Littrell
kmt7652@rit.edu
Pittsford Mendon H.S.
Pittsford, NY