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The Collaborative International Dictionary
Stiffening order

Stiffening \Stiff"en*ing\, n.

  1. Act or process of making stiff.

  2. Something used to make anything stiff.

    Stiffening order (Com.), a permission granted by the customs department to take cargo or ballast on board before the old cargo is out, in order to steady the ship.

Wiktionary
stiffening order

n. A permission granted by the customs department to take cargo or ballast on board before the old cargo is out, in order to steady the ship.