Concept:
Seasoning removes moisture from timber. If moisture is removed too rapidly or non-uniformly, unequal shrinkage occurs in different parts of the timber, causing distortion known as warping.
Warping changes the original shape of the timber, making it unsuitable for construction purposes.
Step 1: Understand the cause of warping.
When different portions of wood lose moisture at different rates,
\[
\text{Unequal Shrinkage}
\Longrightarrow
\text{Distortion of Timber}.
\]
This distortion is called warping.
Step 2: Differentiate it from other defects.
• Knot: Portion of a branch embedded in timber.
• Shake: Separation of fibres due to internal cracks.
• Cross grain: Fibres are not parallel to the longitudinal axis.
• Warping: Distortion caused by unequal drying.
Hence,
\[
\boxed{\text{The defect is Warping}.}
\]
Therefore, the correct option is
\[
\boxed{(C)\;\text{Warping}.}
\]