ˈalligatoring, vbl. n. orig. U.S.
The cracking and retraction of paint, varnish, etc., caused by contraction.
| 1911 Engin. News (N.Y.) 27 July 121 Many of the paints which lack any evidence of cracking, checking, or alligatoring. 1953 Glossary Paint Terms (B.S.I.) 11 Crocodiling or alligatoring, a drastic type of crazing producing a pattern resembling the hide of a crocodile. |