Define pickling in hides and skins ?

Pickling in hides and skins refers to the process of treating the material with a solution containing acid, salt, and other chemicals to prepare it for further processing. This treatment helps to remove any remaining hair, flesh, and other impurities, as well as to adjust the pH level of the material. Pickling also helps to soften the hides and skins, making them more pliable and easier to work with during the tanning process.