Brewer's: Foul Proof

A proof is a rough impression of a manuscript set up in type, or of a drawing engraved, for the author's correction. The proof with many faults is a foul proof, but the “pull,” after the errors are corrected, is termed a clean proof. These impressions are called proofs because they must be approved of by author and reader before they are finally printed.

Source: Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, E. Cobham Brewer, 1894
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