What does the word whittle mean?

Usage examples for whittle

  1. Silence, and whittle away. – Diary in America, Series One by Frederick Marryat (AKA Captain Marryat)
  2. I was introduced to a very beautiful girl here, whom I should not have mentioned so particularly, had it not been that she was the first and only lady in America that I observed to whittle. – Diary in America, Series One by Frederick Marryat (AKA Captain Marryat)
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