local techn. [app. local var. of ME. teth, TEETHE.] trans. To give a finely toothed or serrated edge to (a reaping-hook or sickle). Hence Tedded ppl. a., Tedder, Tedding vbl. sb.
1833. J. Holland, Manuf. Metal, II. 55. The next operation [in making sickles] is cutting or toothing, or tedding as it is technically called. Ibid., 56. There is … a peculiarity in the handling of his hammer and chisel by a sickle tedder, which it requires considerable practice to attain.
1888. Sheffield Gloss., Tedded, serrated, indented. Sickles are tedded in order to make them cut better.
[Cf. c. 1440. Promp. Parv., 498/2. Tothyd, or tod wythe teethe, dentatus.
1781. Hutton, Tour Caves, Gloss., Tod, to tooth sickles.]
