[? ad. L. carpĕre to pluck, card.] (See quot.) Hence Carper, Carping vbl. sb.
1835. Ure, Philos. Manuf., 202. The business to which children are first put in this business is carping; that is, preparing thistle-teasels for the workman, who fits them into the rods and handles for dressing the cloth. The little carpers sit at this easy work.
