from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Carding \Card"ing\, a.
1. The act or process of preparing staple for spinning, etc.,
by carding it. See the Note under {Card}, v. t.
[1913 Webster]
2. A roll of wool or other fiber as it comes from the carding
machine.
[1913 Webster]
{Carding engine}, {Carding machine}, a machine for carding
cotton, wool, or other fiber, by subjecting it to the
action of cylinders, or drums covered with wire-toothed
cards, revolving nearly in contact with each other, at
different rates of speed, or in opposite directions. The
staple issues in soft sheets, or in slender rolls called
slivers.
[1913 Webster]