Definition of "buffing"

The underframe, which has been designed to take buffing loads of 200 tons both on the centre coupler and on the retractable side buffers, consists of two centre girders from which cantilevers project to support the solebars, which in turn carry the bodyside structure.

1951 May, “British Railways Standard Coaches”, in Railway Magazine, page 327

the burning machine for blowing dirt and buffings off the work

1921, Stanley P. McMinn, “Practical Tire Merchandising and Repairing”, in Motor Age, volume 40