boil off

1 of 2

transitive verb

1

: to degum (silk) by boiling

2

: to remove (gum, sizing, wax, dye) from fabric by boiling in a solution

boil-off

2 of 2

noun

plural -s

1

: the process of removing impurities (such as size or gum) by boiling fabrics in a scouring solution

2

boiloff : the vaporization of a liquid (such as liquid oxygen)

Word History

Etymology

Noun

boil off

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

• More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
• Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
• Advanced search features
• Ad free!