dubbin

American  

[duhb-in] / ˈdʌb ɪn /

noun

1. a mixture of tallow and oil used in dressing leather.

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dubbin British  

/ ˈdʌbɪn /

noun

1. a greasy mixture of tallow and oil applied to leather to soften it and make it waterproof

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Etymology

Origin of dubbin

1815–25; variant of gerund of dub ¹ ( def. ) (in the sense “rubbing or smoothing leather or wood”)

Example Sentences

Now see here: paste? there you are; stuffin’? there you are; tub for soakin’? there you are; and so on with every think—whether it’s lapstone, foot, hemp, ball, wax, bristles, dubbin, grease, or ink.

From Original Penny Readings A Series of Short Sketches by Fenn, George Manville

Off-side wallet, 20 rounds, tin dubbin, hold-all, and towel.

From The Transvaal from Within A Private Record of Public Affairs by Fitzpatrick, Percy, Sir

At eleven there was harness-cleaning, and I was sadly regarding a small remnant of dubbin and my dusty girths and leathers, when the order came for "boot and saddle," and that little job was off.

From In the Ranks of the C.I.V. by Childers, Erskine

I tried to make the use of dubbin take the place of the resoling of my boots, and in my chamber, which was warmed only by my oil-stove, my garments never dried.

From In Accordance with the Evidence by Onions, Oliver [pseud.]

My apartment was therefore clean and tidy, and by the aid of a bit of dubbin I managed to give an air of newness to my well-worn shoes.

From Flowers of Freethought (First Series) by Foote, G. W. (George William)