[f. LURCH v.1 + -ING2.]
† 1. Given to or characterized by forestalling others at meals, gluttonous. Also, pilfering. Obs.
1577. Stanyhurst, Descr. Irel., Ep. Ded. in Holinshed. Loath also in lurching wise to forstall anie man his travell, I was contented to leave them thumping in the forge, and quietlie repair to my usuall studies.
1619. Denison, Heavenly Banq., 127. This condemnes that lurching sacrifice, wherein oft times the Priest giues none to others, but retains al to himself.
1620. Venner, Via Recta, viii. 167. All strange and confused sauces … abandon, as … acceptable onely to lurching and deuouring Belly-gods.
1655. trans. Com. Hist. Francion, X. 23. Ah these are close lurching Companions. These are the Nimmers who would rob me of all my moveables.
2. Of a dog (see LURCH v.1 1, 1 b, 4; the sense in the quots. is uncertain).
1613. Uncasing of Machivil’s Instr., 25. A lurching Dog will range about the fields.
1824. Scott, Redgauntlet, let. x. My friend Benjie’s lurching attendant … began to cock his tail.
1871. Daily News, 5 Jan. A lurching cur who gnawed something under a waggon.
3. Lurking, ‘sneaking.’
1661. K. W., Conf. Charac., A Baily (1860), 41. The wals should discover his lerching knavery.
1865. S. Evans, Bro. Fabian, 5. A lurching, lean-lipped, lollardizing loon.
