burling iron

1 definition found

burling iron - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Burl \Burl\ (b[^u]rl), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Burled (b[^u]rld);
     p. pr. & vb. n. Burling.] [OE. burle stuffing, or a knot in
     cloth; cf. F. bourlet, bourrelet, OF. bourel, a wreath or a
     roll of cloth, linen, or leather, stuffed with flocks, etc.,
     dim. of bourre. [root]92. See Bur.]
     To dress or finish up (cloth); to pick knots, burs, loose
     threads, etc., from, as in finishing cloth.
     [1913 Webster]
  
     Burling iron, a peculiar kind of nippers or tweezers used
        in burling woolen cloth.
        [1913 Webster]