packing \pack"ing\, n.
   1. the act or process of one who packs.
      1913 webster

   2. any material used to pack, fill up, or make close.
      specifically mach.: a substance or piece used to make a
      joint impervious; as:
      a a thin layer, or sheet, of yielding or elastic
          material inserted between the surfaces of a flange
          joint.
      b the substance in a stuffing box, through which a
          piston rod slides.
      c a yielding ring, as of metal, which surrounds a piston
          and maintains a tight fit, as inside a cylinder, etc.
          1913 webster

   3. masonry same as filling. rare in the u. s.
      1913 webster

   4. a trick; collusion. obs. --bale.
      1913 webster

   cherd packing bridge building, the arrangement, side by
      side, of several parts, as bars, diagonals, a post, etc.,
      on a pin at the bottom of a chord. --waddell.

   packing box, a stuffing box. see under stuffing.

   packing press, a powerful press for baling cotton, wool,
      hay, etc.

   packing ring. see packing, 2
      c, and illust. of piston.

   packing sheet.
      a a large cloth for packing goods.
      b a sheet prepared for packing hydropathic patients.
          1913 webster
see also:
filling cherd packing packing box stuffing packing press packing ring 
packing piston packing sheet