goafing Coal-mining.
(ˈgəʊfɪŋ)
[f. prec. + -ing1.]
a. = prec. b. (See quot. 1875.)
| 1875 Ure's Dict. Arts II. 686 Gobbin or Goaffin, the refuse left behind in working coal, and thrown into the goaf. 1881 Standard 15 Sept. 5/7 The fire was attributed to the spontaneous combustion of the coal dust or the small coal in the goafings. |