Short for Wharfedale (machine): see quots.
1888. Jacobi, Printers’ Vocab., Wharfedale machine, a cylindrical machine manufactured in Yorkshire and called after the place of that name. Wharfe, short term for the Wharfedale printing machine.
1890. W. J. Gordon, Foundry, 210. The Wharfedales, Bremners, and other machines on which is printed most illustrated work.
1901. Daily Chron., 3 Dec., 9/7. Printer’s Minder, 31, seeks Situation; Wharfes., platens, gas engine.
