Proffer vs offer. The dictionaries pretty much have the same definitions for both. Should I meddle my brain with an extra word that means exactly the same as another word I already know? This is a first time I come across “proffer” and if someone else uses I can figure out what it means.

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We very seldom use proffer except perhaps tongue in cheek, or in old movies. It may still exist on very formal speech, but it's not commonly used. If you are an ambassador or doing a formal business presentation, or a scientific talk, or in law, you might use this word. Note that the legal definition is different.

However, otherwise it's best not to use it. Certainly not in everyday speech.

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In the US, ‘proffer’ is less general than ‘offer’.

Here it has the idea of formally presenting something to be evaluated.

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Proffer is specific. It is used mainly in courtroom dealings. It means to offer up evidence. You will not see this word used in everyday speech.