sb. rare. [Echoic: cf. WHISPER.] A slight blast or puff (of wind) or sprinkle (of rain). So Whisp v., implied in Whisping vbl. sb., used of a slight blast or a low rustling sound: see quots.
1379. Glouc. Cath. MS. 19. No. I., I. iii. lf. 5 b. The ers hole by egestion.i. schityng Crackynge & Whispynge by nethe is purgynge propirly of the guttys.
1884. G. Y. Lagden, in 19th Cent., Feb., 241. A whisp or two of cold wind scudding up the path precede the roaring tornado and terminal deluge which are in full swing before there is scarce time to don the oilskin.
1901. Daily News, 2 Feb., 5/7. Nothing broke the stillness but the whisping of the waters.
1923. Times, 27 April, 12/1. A whisp of rain,… too light to be called a shower, touched the crowd here and there.
