The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

patching \patching\ n.
   The act of mending a hole in a garment by sewing a patch over
   it.
   [WordNet 1.5]

The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Patch \Patch\ (p[a^]ch), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Patched
   (p[a^]cht); p. pr. & vb. n. Patching.]
   1. To mend by sewing on a piece or pieces of cloth, leather,
      or the like; as, to patch a coat.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. To mend with pieces; to repair with pieces festened on; to
      repair clumsily; as, to patch the roof of a house.
      [1913 Webster]

   3. To adorn, as the face, with a patch or patches.
      [1913 Webster]

            Ladies who patched both sides of their faces.
                                                  --Spectator.
      [1913 Webster]

   4. To make of pieces or patches; to repair as with patches;
      to arrange in a hasty or clumsy manner; -- generally with
      up; as, to patch up a truce. "If you'll patch a quarrel."
      --Shak.
      [1913 Webster]

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

patching
    n 1: the act of mending a hole in a garment by sewing a patch
         over it