\Crimp\ (kr[i^]mp), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Crimped}
(kr[i^]mt; 215); p. pr. & vb. n. {Crimping}.] [Akin to D.
krimpen to shrink, shrivel, Sw. krympa, Dan. krympe, and to
E. cramp. See {Cramp}.]
1. To fold or plait in regular undulation in such a way that
   the material will retain the shape intended; to give a
   wavy appearance to; as, to crimp the border of a cap; to
   crimp a ruffle. Cf. {Crisp}.
         The comely hostess in a crimped cap.  --W. Irving.
2. To pinch and hold; to seize.
3. Hence, to entrap into the military or naval service; as,
   to crimp seamen.
         Coaxing and courting with intent to crimp him.
                                               --Carlyle.
4. (Cookery) To cause to contract, or to render more crisp,
   as the flesh of a fish, by gashing it, when living, with a
   knife; as, to crimp skate, etc.
{Crimping house}, a low lodging house, into which men are
   decoyed and plied with drink, to induce them to ship or
   enlist as sailors or soldiers.
{Crimping iron}.
   (a) An iron instrument for crimping and curling the hair.
   (b) A crimping machine.
{Crimping machine}, a machine with fluted rollers or with
   dies, for crimping ruffles leather, iron, etc.
{Crimping pin}, an instrument for crimping or puckering the
   border of a lady's cap.

\Crimp\, a.
1. Easily crumbled; friable; brittle. [R.]
         Now the fowler . . . treads the crimp earth. --J.
                                               Philips.
2. Weak; inconsistent; contradictory. [R.]
         The evidance is crimp; the witnesses swear backward
         and forward, and contradict themselves. --Arbuthnot.

\Crimp\, n.
1. A coal broker. [Prov. Eng.] --De Foe.
2. One who decoys or entraps men into the military or naval
   service. -- Marryat.
3. A keeper of a low lodging house where sailors and
   emigrants are entrapped and fleeced.
4. Hair which has been crimped; -- usually in pl.
5. A game at cards. [Obs.] --B. Jonson.
{Boot crimp}. See under {Boot}.

\Crimp\, v. t. (Firearms)
In cartridge making, to fold the edge of (a cartridge case)
inward so as to close the mouth partly and confine the
charge.