Sc. [f. LAW sb.2 + -ING1.] A reckoning at a tavern; a tavern-bill.
1535. Stewart, Cron. Scot. (1858), II. 633. The Scottis countit thair lawing so deir.
1686. G. Stuart, Joco-ser. Disc., 68. Come to my house some other day I’ll pay the lawing, gang your way.
1728. Ramsay, Lure, 4. Night-drinking sots counting their lawin.
a. 1774. Fergusson, Leith Races, Poems (1845), 33. They rake the grunds o’ ilka barrel To profit by the lawin.
1824. Scott, Redgauntlet, ii. No man should enter the door of a public-house without paying his lawing.
b. Comb.: lawing-free a., not called upon for one’s share in the bill; scot-free.
17[?]. Song, Andro & his Cutty Gun, in Ramsay, Tea-t. Misc. (1775), II. 229. She heght to keep me lawing-free.
1794. Poems, Eng. Scot. & Lat., 103. I’m no for letting ye, ye see, (As I ware rich) gang lawin free.
