rare. [f. tuff, TUFT + -ING1.]
† 1. Caulking material; oakum. Obs.
1513. Douglas, Æneis, V. xii. 31. The tuffing kendillis betuixt the plankis wak.
2. Bell-ringing (also tuftin). The tufts of wool woven into a bell-rope to give a grip for the hand: SALLY sb.2 2.
1869. Troyte, Change Ringing, i. 2. The ‘hand stroke’ blow will be the one on which he pulls the ‘sallie,’ or tuffing on the rope.
1897. F. T. Jane, Lordship, vi. 66. The tuftin being worn, she hurt a man’s hands a good deal on the sally, and had mainly to be rung on the back-stroke.
