[f. BOTCH v.1 + -ING1.] The action of repairing or mending; clumsy patching; unskilful or bungling work.

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c. 1440.  Promp. Parv., 5. A bocchement, or a bocchynge, augmentum.

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a. 1535.  Fisher, Wks., 358. O corruptible body which … dayly needeth reprations and botching vp with meate and drinke.

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1656.  Sanderson, Serm. (1689), 392. The botching in of a course shred into a fine garment.

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1691.  T. H[ale], Acc. New Invent., &c. 98. That patching and botching with Solder.

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1719.  De Foe, Crusoe (1840), I. ix. 159. I set to work a-tailoring, or rather indeed a-botching.

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1865.  Ruskin, Eth. Dust, V. (1883), 87. All doubt, and repenting, and botching, and retouching, and wondering what it will be best to do next, are vice, as well as misery.

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