[Cf. LG. wull(e)karten, MDa. uldkard, etc.] An instrument (see CARD sb.1 2) used in carding wool. Also in comb.
1564. Knaresb. Wills (Surtees), I. 96. iij paire of woll cardes.
1587. Mascall, Bk. Cattell, I. (1596), 71. Ye shall therefore vse to kembe them with wooll cards or horse combe, as some do.
1629. Leather, 10. Woll-Card makers.
1630. Proclam., in Rymer, Foedera (1732), XIX. 164. English Wyer … for the making of good Wooll Cardes.
1750. in 6th Rep. Dep. Kpr., App. II. 125. For pricking the Leathers of Wool, Silk, Cotton, or any other Cards.
1833. J. Holland, Manuf. Metal, II. 231. The works [at Barnsley] were long famous for the manufacture of wool-cards.
So Wool-carder, one who cards wool; Wool-carding vbl. sb. and ppl. a.
1580. Hollyband, Treas. Fr. Tong, Cardeur de laine, a wooll carder.
1835. Ure, Philos. Manuf., 166. The wool-carding engine.
1863. Geo. Eliot, Romola, i. Streets … noisy with the … broad jests of wool-carders in the cloth-producing quarters.
