[f. BILL v.2 + -ING1.]
† 1. The pecking of a bird. Obs.
c. 1440. Promp. Parv., 36. Byllynge of byrdys, rostratus.
1598. Florio, Imbeccata … an embilling, a billing or feading.
1599. Broughton’s Lett., i. 6. The billing of such filthie garbage.
2. The caressing of doves; kissing; love-making.
1587. Warner, Alb. England, VI. xxxi. (1612), 153. First blend they heards, and forthwith lips, and after billing fell To other Sport.
c. 1630. Drumm. of Hawth., Poems, Wks. (1711), 21. Come, let us teach new billing to the dove.
1732. Fielding, Miser, I. iii. Here’s fine billing, and cooing, I warrant.
1815. L. Hunt, Feast of Poets, 10. I never much valued your billings and cooings.
