/shaf"ting, shahf"-/ , n.
1. a number of shafts.
2. Mach. a system of shafts, as the overhead shafts formerly used for driving the machinery of a mill.
3. steel bar stock used for shafts.
4. Archit. a system of shafts, as those around a pier or in the reveals of an archway.
5. Slang. an instance of unique or unfair treatment: The owners gave him a real shafting on the deal.
[ 1815-25; SHAFT + -ING 1 ]