[f. TOY v. + -ING1.] The action of the verb TOY; playing, sporting; trifling, idle or careless dealing (with anything), amorous dalliance.
1565–73. Cooper, Thesaurus, s.v. Arguo, Digitorum argutiæ, toyinges or gesturinges of the fingers: often mouyng.
1580. Hollyband, Treas. Fr. Tong, Ragement, wantonnesse, or toying.
1726. Adv. Capt. R. Boyle (1768), 236. After our Toying was over, she told me she was afraid of losing me.
1840. Carlyle, Heroes, ii. (1872), 67. Toying and coquetting with Truth: this is the sorest sin.
1865. Dickens, Mut. Fr., I. xi. Slightly in contrast with this brief airy toying.
1911. W. W. Peyton, in Contemp. Rev., Sept., 374. Evil is in toying with imperfection.
