1) Restraining 
except
• (prep.) With the exception of; excepting. • (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Bate
Bat'ing preposition [ Strictly present participle of Bate to abate.] With the exception of; excepting. « We have little reason to think that they bring many ideas with them, bating some faint ideas of hunger and thirst. Locke. » 
The process prior to tanning proper where the fibres of a hide or skin which have been plumped or swollen by liming are reduced and softened, thus assuring pliability in the product. The word is a form of 'abate' in the sense of reduce. (11)