wad

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wad †wadding; (dial.) bundle of hay, etc. XVI; tightly-rolled bundle XVIII. In form and early meaning corr. to Al. wadda wadding; obscurely rel. to Du. watten, F. ouate, It. ovatta padding, cotton-wool.
Hence wad vb. put a wad in (a gun, etc.) XVI; lay up in bundles XVII. wadding (-ING1) material for wads. XVII.

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