Whaling. [f. LEAN a. and sb.2] trans. To cut away the ‘lean’ adhering to the blubber of a whale. Hence Leaning vbl. sb., also with up.
1887. J. T. Brown, in Fish. & Fish. Industr. U.S., V. Hist. & Meth., II. 278. The pieces of flesh and muscles or ‘lean’ … are removed … with sharp knives…. This process is called ‘leaning.’ Ibid., 281. To sever the muscles or pieces of flesh that persist in binding the fat to the body…. The … process is called … ‘leaning up.’ Ibid., 282. The mate remains and ‘leans’ the blubber from the carcass.
