garbling, vbl. n.
(ˈgɑːblɪŋ)
[f. garble v. + -ing1.]
The action of the verb garble.
† 1. The action or process of picking or selecting (spices, etc.), or of removing the refuse or the inferior specimens from merchandise, etc. Obs.
| 1483 Act 1 Rich. III, c. 11 §1 They wil not suffre any garbelyng of theym to be made but selle good and bad at so excessyf price togedyr ungarbeled. 1518 Acc. in Archæol. XLVII. 310 For..letheryng, bokelyng, and garbelyng of m{supl}m{supl}xlvij complete harnes. 1591 (title), A profitable..Discourse for the Meeting with the bad Garbelling of Spices used in these Daies. 1621 H. Elsing Debates Ho. Lords (Camden) 89 The Prince's mocion..touchinge the garblinge of Tobaccho. 1662 H. Stubbe Ind. Nectar iv. 70 There ought to be a great care in the Picking, Garbling, and preparing the [Cacao] Nuts. 1687 in Heath Grocers' Comp. (1869) 61 The Company's right in the garbling of spices. 1800 Colquhoun Comm. Thames xi. 327 Certain other privileges also attach to the Garbling of Merchandise Imported. 1809 R. Langford Introd. Trade 132 Garbling, the clearing the refuse from any commodity. |
† b. transf. The action or process of ‘sifting’ (a corporation, etc.) so as to exclude unfit or uncompliant members. Obs.
| a 1661 Fuller Worthies (1840) II. 449 The general purging and garbling of the Judges. 1663 Flagellum, or O. Cromwell (1672) 61 Their Propositions being more rigid since the last garbling by the Army. 1690 Andros Tracts II. 43 Jobbs..which sometimes Required shaking off a Testimony or Garbling of a Jury. |
2. The action or process of making selections with a view to misrepresentation.
| 1861 Bright Sp. on India 19 Mar., He knows there have been garbling and mutilation..in those despatches. 1885 Ch. Times 12 June 456 All kinds of quibbles, equivocations, garblings, and direct falsehoods. |
3. (See quot.)
| 1867 Smyth Sailor's Word-bk., Garbling, the mixing of rubbish with a cargo stowed in bulk. |
4. concr. pl. The refuse or remainder of a staple commodity after selection of the best.
| 1881 Daily News 21 Jan. 6/8 Gums..olibanum..sold at 58s.; garblings, 27s. 6d.; siftings, 25s. 6d. 1886 Harris Techn. Dict. Fire Insur., Garblings, pickings of wool, cotton, and like material. |