Source : Free On-Line Dictionary of Computing

framing specification
     
        A specification of the "{protocol} bits" that surround the
        "data bits" on a communications channel to allow the data to
        be "framed" into chunks, like start and {stop bit}s in
        {EIA-232}.  It allows a receiver to synchronize at points along
        the data stream.
     
        (1995-01-13)