n. & v.
n. 1 a lump or bundle of soft material used esp. to keep things apart or in place or to stuff up an opening. 2 a disc of felt etc. keeping powder or shot in place in a gun. 3 a number of banknotes or documents placed together. 4 Brit. sl. a bun, sandwich, etc. 5 (in sing. or pl.) a large quantity esp. of money.
v.tr. (wadded, wadding) 1 stop up (an aperture or a gun-barrel) with a wad. 2 keep (powder etc.) in place with a wad. 3 line or stuff (a garment or coverlet) with wadding. 4 protect (a person, walls, etc.) with wadding. 5 press (cotton etc.) into a wad or wadding.
[ perh. rel. to Du. watten, F ouate padding, cotton wool ]