Hi Alex,
As Donovan said, hide glue not waterproof. I had been thinking about hoof/bone glue which is waterproof but a bit heat sensitive. It's boiled to liquid state, spread on the joint and clamped. Stinks, and will burn you even when you're careful.
You can do veneering with it by coating the body with the glue so it's a smooth surface and let it cool, then set your veneer in place, cover with brown paper and iron the veneer down.
It makes a good surface that's waterproof against spills. But use coasters with hot beverages. :D

I much prefer the modern glues though.

Mike Savage
South West Cork