1510s (implied in quaffer), perhaps imitative, or perhaps from Low German quassen "to overindulge (in food and drink)," with -ss- misread as -ff-. Related: Quaffed; quaffing. The noun is attested by 1570s, from the verb.
quadruplet
quadruplex
quadruplicate
quadruplication
quaere
quaff
quag
quagga
quagmire
quahog
quai