Forms: 3 billen, 4 bilen, 5 byll-en, -yn, (bollyn), 7 bile, 6– bill. [f. BILL sb.2]
† 1. intr. To strike with the bill; to peck. Obs.
c. 1220. Bestiary, 82, in O. E. Misc., 3. Ðanne goð he [the eagle] to a ston, and he billeð ðer on, billeð til his bec biforn haueð ðe wrengðe forloren.
1398. Trevisa, Barth. De P. R., XII. xxxii. The sparow … biteþ and bileth [1535 byllyth] for to haue nestes of swalowes.
c. 1440. Promp. Parv., 36. Bollyn or jowyn [v.r. byllen or iobbyn] wythe the bylle as byrdys, rostro.
a. 1678. Marvell, Unfort. Lover, 51. As one cormorant fed him, still Another on his heart did bill.
† b. trans. with out, away, etc.
1496. Dives & Paup. (W. de W.), IV. iii. 163/1. She [the Pellycane] beteth & bylleth and casteth them out of her company.
2. To stroke bill with bill (as doves).
1592. Shaks., Ven. & Ad., 366. Like two silver doves that sit a-billing.
1637. Heywood, Dialogues, 309. I observ’d but late Two Turtles bill, and either court it’s mate.
1687. Dryden, Hind & P., III. 950. Voracious Birds, that hotly Bill and breed.
1850. Mrs. Jameson, Leg. Monast. Ord. (1863), 20. Two doves billing upon the roof above.
3. transf. To caress, make show of affection; usually (of reciprocal action) to bill and coo.
1606. Shaks., Tr. & Cr., III. ii. 60. What, billing againe?
1678. Butler, Hud., III. i. 687. Still amorous, and fond, and billing, Like Philip and Mary on a shilling.
1712. Steele, Spect., No. 300, ¶ 1. Tom Faddle and his pretty spouse wherever they come are billing at such a Rate.
1854. Thackeray, Newcomes, I. 295. Jenny and Jessamy … billing and cooing in an arbour.
