alligatoring

Meanings

Noun

• A pattern of cracking of paint on a surface leaving roughly hexagonal areas of uncracked paint.
• The cracking of the surfacing bitumen on a bituminous roof or coating on a SPF roof, producing a pattern of cracks similar to an alligator's hide.

Verb

• Present participle of alligator

Related

Similar words

• checking

Origin

• alligator + -ing, from the resemblance to an alligator's skin.