Chiefly dial. [? Alteration of WELK v. Cf. the earlier WELTER v.2 and WILT v.] a. trans. Of the sun or weather: To wither (cut grass, etc.). Chiefly pass. b. intr. To become withered by exposure to the sun and air.
1764. Museum Rust., III. 333. That wheat which is mowed will require many days of hot weather to welt the grass and weeds.
1830. Spurdens, Forby’s Voc. E. Anglia, App., Wilted, shrivelled as an apple. Also Welted: the same word.
1854. Miss A. E. Baker, Northampt. Gloss., s.v. Welted, ‘It is well welted:’ or ‘It is not fit to carry, it wants a good welting first.’
1863. Jrnl. R. Agric. Soc., XXIV. II. 350. Mown grass becomes first welted, then ferments. Ibid. (1865), 2nd Ser. I. II. 412. It is good management to give these turnips on grass, and to let then ‘welt,’ or become dry from exposure to the sun and air.
Hence Welting vbl. sb.
1766. Museum Rust., VI. 388. Cut the herb in the morning; and put it into the vats as soon as possible, in order to prevent its welting or heating.
1854. [see above].
