[f. TREAT v. + -ING1.] The action of the verb TREAT.
1. Negotiation of terms.
1375. Barbour, Bruce, XIV. 8. He send and had treting With the erischry of Irland.
c. 1440. Jacob’s Well, 207. Be tretyng or counseylyng þei myȝte haue sped bettere.
1525. Ld. Berners, Froiss., II. cxix. [cxv.] 341. We be in treatynge togyther…, wherfore we wolde gladly make an exchaunge with certayne prisoners.
1638. R. Baker, trans. Balzac’s Lett. (vol. II.), 147. If in treating together, we should not sometimes violate the laws of our Art, [etc.].
2. Discoursing, discussion.
c. 1450. trans. De Imitatione, I. x. 10. Tretyng and talking of seculer dedes,… lettiþ, muche.
1720. Waterland, Eight Serm., 114. I was once inclinable to defer the Treating of it some time longer.
3. Behavior towards a person, etc.; usage.
1549. Compl. Scotl., viii. 74. Al the gude treittyng that scottis men gettis in ingland changis in ane vile seruitude.
1588. A. King, trans. Canisius’ Catech., 36. Irrewerent traicting of ye name of god.
† 4. Entreaty, beseeching. Obs.
1595. Daniel, Civ. Wars, II. lxxxix. With earnest ’treating she procur’d her Passe To come to him.
5. Regaling, feasting, entertaining; spec. the action of providing a person (wholly or partly at one’s own expense) with food or drink at a parliamentary or other election in order to obtain (or in return for) his vote; bribery or corruption by feasting (illegal in Great Britain since 1854 by 17 & 18 Vict. c. 102, § 4).
1709. Steele, Tatler, No. 73, ¶ 14. An evil and pernicious Custom has of late … prevailed at the Election of Aldermen, by treating at Taverns and Alehouses, thereby engaging many unwarily to give their Votes.
1842. Act 5 & 6 Vict., c. 102 (title), An Act for the better Discovery and Prevention of Bribery and Treating at the Election of Members of Parliament.
1863. H. Cox, Instit., I. viii. 116. Treating … invalidates the vote of an elector treated.
6. attrib. † Treating-house, a house of entertainment or refreshment, an eating-house (obs.).
1680. in Verney Mem. (1907), II. 369. Eate a Tart at the treating house by Knightsbridge.
1704. Gentl. Instr., III. (1713), 353. His first jaunt is to a Treating-house.
