vbl. sb. [f. BOWL v.1]
1. Playing at bowls; the action of rolling a bowl or other round body.
1535. Act 27 Hen. VIII., xxv. Any open plaieng house or place for common bowling.
1612. Bacon, Studies, Ess. (Arb.), 13. Bowling is good for the Stone and Reines.
1705. Hickeringill, Priest-cr., II. vi. 66. They go to Shooting or Bowling as soon as Afternoon Service is done.
1801. Strutt, Sports & Past., III. vii. 235.
1879. Daily News, 2 Sept., 3/1. Bowling was at all times a mild species of recreation.
2. Cricket. The action of ‘delivering’ the ball.
1755. Game at Cricket, 6. Laws.
1859. All Y. Round, No. 13. 306. Jim … goin: cut over the slow bowling.
1879. Sat. Rev., 5 July, 21. Oxford was once more aided by the bowling of Mr. Jellicoe.
3. Comb., as bowling-day, -ground, -night; bowling-crease, the line from behind which the bowler ‘delivers’ the ball in cricket.
1755. Game at Cricket, 6. Laws … The Bowling-Creases must be cut in a direct line from each Stump. Ibid., 8. If he delivers the Ball, with his hinder Foot over the Bowling-Crease, the Umpire shall call no Ball.
1880. Boy’s Own Bk., 105. Within the return-crease … and behind the bowling-crease, the bowler must stand when he delivers the ball.
