[-ING1.] The action of the verb CRAMP, esp. a fastening together with cramps or cramp-irons.
1688. R. Holme, Armoury, III. 301/2. To hold Timber work together in old decayed Houses … is termed cramping.
1739. Labelye, Short Acc. Piers Westm. Bridge, 32. The Masons proceeded in setting and cramping the third Course of Stones. Ibid., 41. The same Cementing and Crampings, as if built upon dry Ground.
b. attrib. † Cramping-iron, an iron for cramping or compressing.
1641. Milton, Animadv., v. When you have us’d all your cramping irons to the Text, and done your utmost to cramme a Presbyterie into the skin of one person.
