What is "carding engine"

Carding \Card"ing\, a.

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

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

   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.