Webster's 1828 Dictionary
TAMPING
n.[allied probably to tame, dam, stem, stamp, etc. ] The matter that is driven into the hole bored into any thing for blasting. The powder being first put into the hole, and a tube for a conductor of the fire, the hole is rammed to fullness with brick-dust or other matter. This is called tamping.
Webster's 1913 Dictionary
TAMPING
TAMPING Tamp "ing, n.
1. The act of one who tamps; specifically, the act of filling up a hole in a rock, or the branch of a mine, for the purpose of blasting the rock or exploding the mine.
2. The material used in tamping. See Tamp, v. t., 1. Tamping iron, an iron rod for beating down the earthy substance in tamping for blasting.