tamping

1. The act of one who tamps; specifically, the act of filling up a hole in a rock, or the branch of a mine, for the purpose of blasting the rock or exploding the mine.

2. The material used in tamping. See Tamp, v. t., 1.

Tamping iron, an iron rod for beating down the earthy substance in tamping for blasting.

Gently pressing down the soil around the roots of a plant in order to firm it in place.