vbl. sb. [f. COPER2 + -ING1.] The trading of the ‘copers’ in the North Sea: see COPER2. Also attrib.
1882. Standard, 28 Dec., 5/3. What is known as ‘coopering’ [should be] altogether prohibited.
1884. St. James’s Gaz., 19 Dec., 4/1. The floating grog-shops in the coopering trade are the curse of the North Sea.
1887. E. J. Mather, Nor’ard of Dogger, iii. 35. They wouldn’t insure the vessel any longer unless she gave up the coperin’.
