Yes, it's a little known fact that the term "duffer" actually is rooted in the word "duff", for the mix of organic soil and decaying plant matter found on the forest floor in canoe country.

Historically, the duffer was the person in each canoe who had inadvertently consumed the most duff and thus was currently the least fit to paddle.

This also illustrates the importance of bringing a "jug" for medicinal purposes.  Strong alcohol will neutralize most of the ill effects of excessive inadvertant duff consumption for those who have not yet mastered the art of using teeth as a filter.