Webster may have it right.

Definition found on m-w.com - picture depicts the obvious
buffoon
One entry found for buffoon.
Main Entry: buf·foon
noun
Etymology: Middle French bouffon, from Old Italian buffone
1 : a ludicrous figure : CLOWN
2 : a gross and usually ill-educated or stupid person- buf·foon·ish /-'fü-nish/ adjective