willowing, vbl. n.
(ˈwɪləʊɪŋ)
[f. willow n. 4 or v. + -ing1.]
= willying (after willy n.1).
| 1851 L. D. B. Gordon in Art Jrnl. Illustr. Catal. p. iv**/1 A scutching machine, so arranged that the preliminary process of willowing is performed within it. 1875 Knight Dict. Mech., Willowing-machine...2. (Cotton.).. Called also twilly, shake-willy, willow, willy, willey, devil, opening-machine. 1879 Cassell's Techn. Educ. IV. 339/2 The willowing or willying process, which opens and disentangles the locks of wool. 1891 R. Marsden Cotton Spinning (ed. 4) 82. |