scrimshaw

Noun

WordNet 3.0

Noun (1)

  1. a carving (or engraving) on whalebone, whale ivory, walrus tusk, etc., usually by American whalers
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Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)

Scrimshaw \Scrim"shaw`\, v. t. To ornament, as shells, ivory, etc., by engraving, and (usually) rubbing pigments into the incised lines. [Sailor's cant. U.S.] [1913 Webster]
Scrimshaw \Scrim"shaw`\, n. A shell, a whale's tooth, or the like, that is scrimshawed. [Sailor's cant, U.S.] [1913 Webster]
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