What is "parceling"

Parcel \Par"cel\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Parceledor Parcelled; p. pr. & vb. n. Parceling or Parcelling.]

1. To divide and distribute by parts or portions; -- often with out or into. ``Their woes are parceled, mine are general.''
   --Shak.

   These ghostly kings would parcel out my power.
   --Dryden.

   The broad woodland parceled into farms.
   --Tennyson.

2. To add a parcel or item to; to itemize. [R.]

   That mine own servant should Parcel the sum of my disgraces by Addition of his envy.
   --Shak.

3. To make up into a parcel; as, to parcel a customer's purchases; the machine parcels yarn, wool, etc.

   To parcel a rope (Naut.), to wind strips of tarred canvas tightly arround it.
   --Totten.

   To parcel a seam (Naut.), to cover it with a strip of tarred canvas.

Parceling \Par"cel*ing\, n. [Written also parcelling.]

1. The act of dividing and distributing in portions or parts.

2. (Naut.) Long, narrow slips of canvas daubed with tar and wound about a rope like a bandage, before it is served; used, also, in mousing on the stayes, etc.

alt. (present participle of parcel English) vb. (present participle of parcel English)

n. the act of distributing by allotting or apportioning; distribution according to a plan; "the apportionment of seats in the House of Representatives is based on the relative population of each state" [syn: allotment, apportionment, apportioning, allocation, parcelling, assignation]