vbl. sb. [f. SULPHUR sb. or v. + -ING1.]
† 1. The action of dipping in sulphur. Obs. rare–0.
1648. Hexham, II. Een besolfferinge, A Sulphering, or a Dipping in brim-stone.
2. Exposure to the fumes arising from burning sulphur, to produce whiteness in fabrics, to prevent fermentation in casks, to disinfect, etc.
1800. trans. Lagrange’s Chem., II. 273. Sulphuring serves to give to silk destined for white stuffs, as well as to woollen cloth, the highest degree of whiteness to be obtained.
1830. M. Donovan, Dom. Econ., I. 281. Whatever care is taken in the racking of wines, they will again ferment, unless they undergo the operation of sulphuring.
1858. Hoblyn, Dict. Terms Med. (ed. 8), Sulphuration, Sulphuring, the subjection of woollen and other articles to the fumes of burning sulphur, or sulphurous acid, for decolouring or bleaching purposes.
1860. O’Neill, Chem. Calico Print., 63. The effect of sulphuring upon woollen goods is not simply that of whitening, it gives also lustre and brilliancy.
1885. Hummel, Dyeing Textile Fabrics, 112. Gas Bleaching, Stoving, or Sulphuring.
3. The sprinkling of plants with flowers of sulphur to prevent or destroy mildew.
1891. Daily News, 28 July, 6/6. The only thing which planters have to all appearance to fear is mould, judging from the free application of the process of sulphuring.
4. (See quot.)
1880. J. Lomas, Alkali Trade, 57. The béte noire of sulphuric acid making is ‘sulphuring,’ or ‘subliming.’ This is caused by the admission of an insufficient amount of air below the grates of the burners, free sulphur being sublimed and carried forward into the chambers, where it floats upon the surface of the acid.
5. attrib.
1839. Ure, Dict. Arts, 1218. Sulphuring-rooms are sometimes constructed upon a great scale.
1851. Catal. Great Exhib., VI. I. 275/2. Sulphuring apparatus.
1860. O’Neill, Chem. Calico Print., 64. A sulphuring stove was in constant work within fifty yards of it.
1875. Encycl. Brit., III. 822/2. Thom’s sulphuring process [of bleaching wool].
