vbl. sb. [f. as prec. + -ING1.]
1. The action of maintaining or upholding; almost always in bad sense; in modern use, the factitious propping up of what cannot stand of itself.
1549. Latimer, Serm. bef. Edw. VI. (Arb.), 154. O Lord what bearyng what bolstering of naughtye matters is thys. Ibid. (1552), Serm. Lord’s Prayer, iii. 16. Yea in the place of iustice, there I haue seene bearing and bolstring.
1645. Pagitt, Heresiogr. (1661), 75. Communicating with known offenders, bolstering of sins, and willing connivences.
1823. Lamb, Elia (1860), 200. He let the passion or the sentiment do its own work without prop or bolstering.
2. (usually concr.): Padding, puffing; in Surg. A pad or compress; = BOLSTER sb. 2 a.
1530. Palsgr., 199/2. Bolsteryng, stuffyng, fulsement.
1562. J. Heywood, Prov. & Epigr. (1867), 179. The barres of mens breeches haue … Such bolstring, such broydring.
1579. Lyly, Euphues (1636), F iij. Take from them … their roles, their boulsterings, and thou shalt soon perceiue, that a woman is the least part of her selfe.
1612. Woodall, Surg. Mate, Wks. (1653), 406. Let him … be provided with … fitting boulstring and convenient bandage.
1828. Steuart, Planter’s G., 269. A strong Bolstering of double Mat, filled with hay or straw … so that the bark of the stem may not be injured.
3. Fight with bolsters (in school dormitories).
1857. Hughes, Tom Brown, vii. (1871), 152. Great games of chariot-racing, and cock-fighting, and bolstering.
