a. 1. The act or process of preparing staple for spinning, etc., by carding it. See the Note under Card, v. t. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A roll of wool or other fiber as it comes from the carding machine. [ 1913 Webster ]

Carding engine,
Carding machine, a machine for carding cotton, wool, or other fiber, by subjecting it to the action of cylinders, or drums covered with wire-toothed cards, revolving nearly in contact with each other, at different rates of speed, or in opposite directions. The staple issues in soft sheets, or in slender rolls called slivers. [ 1913 Webster ]