[f. WHISK v. + -ING1.] The action of the verb WHISK, in various senses.
a. 1553. Udall, Royster D., II. iv. (Arb.), 37. Is all your delite and ioy In whiskyng and ramping abroade like a Tom boy?
1594. Marlowe & Nashe, Dido, II. C 3. The crye of beasts, the ratling of the windes, Or whisking of these leaues.
a. 1625. Fletcher, Noble Gent., V. i. With the whisking of my sword about.
1668. Dryden, Even. Love, I. i. The whisking of a Silk-Gown, and the rash of a Tabby-Pettycoat.
1703. Thoresby, Lett. to Ray (E.D.S.), Whisking, is also switching; ‘there will be whisking for’t.’
1797. Mrs. Inchbald, Wives as they were, II. i. 30. The whisking of a woman’s gown made me give a sudden start!
1853. Dickens, Bleak Ho., xlix. A rattling of tin mugs, a whisking of brooms.
1876. Miss Broughton, Joan, I. i. A herd of deer … trooping from one glade to another, with a tossing of great horns and whisking of tiny tails.
