[f. STRANGLE v. + -ING1.]
1. The action of the vb. STRANGLE.
c. 1386. Chaucer, Knt.’s T., 1600. Myn is the stranglyng and hangyng by the throte.
1398. Trevisa, Barth. De P. R., VII. xxviii. (Bodl. MS.). Sqynancy is strangeling of þe þrote.
1538. Elyot, Dict., Suffocatio, a stranglynge.
1585. Higins, Junius’ Nomencl., 427/1. Incubus,… a kinde of disease called the night mare or witch, being a certeine pressing downe and strangling of the bodie.
1611. Bible, Job vii. 15. My soule chooseth strangling: and death rather then my life.
1649. Lamont, Diary (Maitl. Club), 12. It was thought … that she wronged her selfe, ether by strangling, or by poyson.
1719. De Foe, Crusoe, I. (Globe), 29. But between the Wound … and the strangling of the Water, he dyed just before he reach’d the Shore.
1820. Scott, Monast., x. They say the Primate recommends a little strangling and burning in aid both of censure and of sword.
1914. Eng. Hist. Rev., Oct., 768. It seems to us improbable that they would have killed him by strangling.
† 2. Path. Strangulation, stricture. Obs.
1563. T. Hyll, Art Garden. (1593), 76. The hearb brused with oyle … dooth help the strangling of the priuitie.
1590. Barrough, Meth. Phisick, 191. Svffocation or strangling of the wombe is nothing else but a drawing backe of it to the vpper partes.
1725. Bradley’s Family Dict., s.v. Nightingale, Another disease incident to these Birds … is called Streightness or Strangling in the breast.
† 3. Pl. ? = STRANGLES Obs.
1624. L. W. C., Perf. Disc. Horse, A 4 b. Stranglings, is a swelling in the Throat.
4. attrib.
1592. Soliman & Pers., V. ii. 7. See that your strangling cords be ready.
1911. J. G. Frazer, in Manch. Oriental Soc. Jrnl., 108. The strangling-net is then undone.
