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

A constant dread to Tommy when he has forgotten to polish his buttons or dubbin his boots.

From Over the Top by Empey, Arthur Guy

We don't polish steel, but there is a wonderful lot of hard work in rubbing dubbin into all the leather.

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.]

One day, goin' to his bunk, he found it all topsyversy, hair powder on his pillow, dubbin in his shavin' cup, salt pork wropt up in his dressin' gown.

From In Clive's Command A Story of the Fight for India by Strang, Herbert