fouling

• IPA^(key): /ˈfaʊlɪŋ/
• Homophone: fowling

fouling

1. present participle and gerund of foul

fouling (countable and uncountable, plural foulings)

1. The adhesion of a foreign material onto a surface, especially so as to reduce its functionality.
   • 1949, Albert Manucy, “The Era of Artillery § Rifling”, in Artillery Through the Ages[:] A Short Illustrated History of Cannon, Emphasizing Types Used in America‎, Reprint 1985 edition, page 14:

     Probably, rifling evolved from the early observation of the feathers on an arrow-and from the practical results of cutting channels in a musket, originally to reduce fouling, then because it was found to improve accuracy of the shot.

• antifouling
• foulant