vbl. sb. [f. BIRCH v. + -ING1.] A whipping with a birch rod, a flogging. † To send one to Birching (Birchin, Birchen) Lane: i.e., for a whipping (with a punning reference to Birchin Lane in London). Nares.
a. 1845. Hood, To I. Walton, 33. I poked his rods and lines in the fire, and his father gave him a birching.
