Polishing shoes is a process of cleaning and shining the surface of leather shoes. It involves using a soft cloth or brush to remove dirt and dust, followed by applying a polish or wax to the shoe to give it a glossy finish. The term 'polish, as shoes' can be used to refer to the act of cleaning and shining shoes. The crossword solution for this term is 'BUFF', which is an adjective meaning to shine or polish something.