質問で引用されたテキストはひどい説明です。これがsh言語標準からのテキストです:
${parameter%word}
Remove Smallest Suffix Pattern. The word shall be expanded to produce a pattern.
The parameter expansion shall then result in parameter, with the smallest portion
of the suffix matched by the pattern deleted.
${parameter%%word}
Remove Largest Suffix Pattern. The word shall be expanded to produce a pattern.
The parameter expansion shall then result in parameter, with the largest portion
of the suffix matched by the pattern deleted.
${parameter#word}
Remove Smallest Prefix Pattern. The word shall be expanded to produce a pattern.
The parameter expansion shall then result in parameter, with the smallest portion
of the prefix matched by the pattern deleted.
${parameter##word}
Remove Largest Prefix Pattern. The word shall be expanded to produce a pattern.
The parameter expansion shall then result in parameter, with the largest portion
of the prefix matched by the pattern deleted.