whittling
nounUK /ˈwɪt.əl.ɪŋ/
US /ˈwɪt̬.əl.ɪŋ/
The activity of cutting small pieces off wood with a knife to make shapes.
He spent the afternoon whittling a little wooden boat.
OTHER MEANINGS
2. The act of gradually reducing something in size or amount.
The team's lead was whittling away as the game went on.
3. Small curls or shavings of wood cut off during carving.
Sawdust and whittlings covered the workshop floor.
4. The process of slowly wearing something down over time.
Years of whittling by the river had smoothed the stones.