[cf. prec. sb.]
1. To affect with backwash (a boat e.g., with that from the oars of a boat in front).
1882. Standard, 16 Sept., 3/6. Backwashing both bow and stroke side of the Thames boat.
2. To clean the oil from wool after combing. Hence Backwasher, Backwashing vbl. sb.
1775. Ash, Backwashed, Cleaned from the oil after combing.
1882. Standard, 29 Dec., 2/2. A backwasher of Van mohair … The back-washing machine at which the back-washer mentioned above had worked.
