Sentence:  As matters were, our three girls never could be in our kitchen at one time without <WSD>reefings</WSD> and manœuvrings of their apparel which much impeded any other labor, and caused some loss of temper;.... 
Meaning of the word marked with <WSD> tags:  The process of reefing (taking in a sail); an act of reefing; "also used of clothing".