rare. [f. prec. sb.]
1. trans. To move to and fro as in playing the trombone (humorous).
1879. Harlan, Eyesight, vi. 70. The age … when we commence to ‘trombone our newspaper’ in search of the receding near point of distinct vision.
1893. W. H. Hudson, Idle Days Patagonia, xi. The redskin … is never observed to trombone his newspaper.
2. intr. To play the trombone; also transf. to make a sound like a trombone.
1839. Mrs. Gore, Courtier, etc., 280. Stick to your last, Nickel; and eschew the ambition of tromboning.
1888. H. Drummond, Tropical Africa, i. 18. The hippopotami … tromboning at us within pistol-shot kept us awake.
