swingling
/ˈswɪŋɡlɪŋ/
noun
- The process of beating or scraping flax or hemp to separate the fibers from the woody core.
- She learned swingling from her grandmother, who made all her own cloth.
- After retting, the swingling removed the outer husk of the stalks.
- Swingling is an important step in making linen from flax.
verb
- Present participle of swinge; to beat or strike, especially in the context of preparing flax or hemp.
- He was swingling the flax with a wooden blade.
- The workers spent the afternoon swingling the hemp stalks.
- Swingling the fibers requires both strength and care.