A strip of half-tanned leather (with a damp cloth placed beneath it) through which pressure is applied by hand in order to compact the felt that is to be made into the surface of a hat.
Origin
Mid 18th century; earliest use found in The Universal Magazine.
Definition of hardening skin in US English:
hardening skin
noun
Hat-making historical
A strip of half-tanned leather (with a damp cloth placed beneath it) through which pressure is applied by hand in order to compact the felt that is to be made into the surface of a hat.
Origin
Mid 18th century; earliest use found in The Universal Magazine.