Obs. [f. BUTT v.2 or sb.7 + -ING1.]
1. Bounding, boundary, limit, confine; also fig.
1552. Huloet, Bowndynge or buttynge of thre fieldes ioynynge together, trifinium.
1616. Surfl. & Markh., Countr. Farm, 522. Setting downe in writing the lying, buttings, and contents of the said peece of ground.
1706. De Foe, Jure Div., V. 23. Nature has its Buttings and Boundings.
1750. G. Hughes, Barbados, 6. The buttings and boundings of several tenements.
2. The making of butt-joints.
c. 1850. Rudim. Navig. (Weale), 116. Ekeing, making good a deficiency in the length … by scarphing or butting.
3. ‘Two wheels touching on the points of the teeth, when entering into action with each other.’ Britten (1884), 37.
1881. F. Britten, Watch & Clockm., 132. Butting is generally indicative of a pinion too large. Ibid. If [the engaging contact] is on the roundings of the teeth a butting action ensues.
† 4. A projection. Obs.
1677. Moxon, Mech. Exerc. (1703), 94. The Stock of the Piercer by reason of … a Sholder, or Butting out upon the work will not turn about.
