vbl. sb. The sport of throwing sticks at a cock tied to a post, to try who should succeed in knocking it down or killing it: formerly an ordinary Shrove-tide pastime.
1654. Wit’s Recreations (N.). Cock-throwing. Cock-a-doodle-doe, ’tis the bravest game.
1681. W. Robertson, Phraseol. Gen. (1693), 342. Cockthrowing at Shrovetide, Gallicidium.
1753. Scots Mag., XV. Feb., 103/2. (title) Against cock-throwing.
1825. Beverley Lighting Act, ii. 17. Or throw at any cock or fowl in the manner called cock-throwing.
1869. Lecky, Europ. Mor., II. iv. 174, note. Cock-throwing—the favourite English game of throwing a stick … at cocks.
