Local variant of SWARF sb.2; cf. SOIFE.
1846. Greener, Sci. Gunnery, 141. ‘Swaff iron forging’ is a profitable branch of forging carried on in Birmingham…. It is a metal which is composed of iron and steel filings,… and all other small scraps found in gun-makers’ and other work-shops. These are … sold to the ‘swaff-forger.’
