Pottery manuf. [f. TOW sb.1] trans. To smooth the surface of (earthenware or china) when in the dry clay state before firing, by rubbing it with tow, sand-paper, or flannel. Hence Tower, Towing vbl. sb.
1892. Daily News, 23 July, 5/4. Mr. Brewer, a factory inspector in the Derby district, calls attention to the probable extension of the method of putting a finer surface on earthenware, which is known as ‘towing.’
1894. Labour Commission Gloss., Towers,… pottery workers, who, when plates that are still unfired are dried till nearly all the moisture is out of them, pass over the surface while they … are rotating on a wheel a piece of ‘tow,’ or sandpaper, to make them smooth.
