[f. TRASH sb.1]
1. trans. To free from trash or refuse; spec. to strip the outer leaves from (growing sugar-canes) so that they may ripen more quickly. Hence Trashing vbl. sb.; also Trasher.
1793. B. Edwards, Hist. Brit. Col. W. Ind., II. V. i. 223. The ancient practice of trashing ratoons (i. e.) stripping them of their outward leaves, being of late … justly exploded.
1847. Simmonds’ Col. Mag., March, 295. Plant-canes require at least four weedings and trashings before they are fit to shift for themselves.
1897. Daily News, 23 June, 15/3. In Northern Queensland … the white farmer and his family do most of the work themselves, except at ‘trashing’ time, when Kanakas are employed.
1902. Q. Rev., July, 18. White men simply cannot work and ‘trash’ the cane in tropical Queensland.
1903. Daily Chron., 17 Sept., 6/7. The fierce rays of the torrid sun pouring down on the perspiring trashers of the cane.
2. To treat as trash; hence, to discard as worthless.
1909. in Cent. Dict. Supp.
