owling
English
Pronunciation
- IPA(key): /ˈaʊ.lɪŋ/
Audio (US): (file)
Etymology 1
From owl + -ing. Smuggling of sheep is so called because it was done at night, when owls call.
Noun
owling (uncountable)
- Birding, specifically to catch owls.
- (historical) The smuggling of sheep or wool out of England.
- (Internet slang) A variation on planking in which a person is photographed or filmed squatting down in an unusual location.
Related terms
Etymology 2
Alternative forms
- owlling
Noun
owling (plural owlings)
- A small, juvenile, or baby owl; owlet.
- 1940, Canadian Forestry Association, Forest and outdoors - Volume 36 - Page 344:
- Owls are extra hungry then, there being a batch of Greatlings or Hornlings or Owlings or whatever Great Horned Owl babies are called sitting on the edge of a nest waiting on Pa and Ma Owl to bring home the bacon.
- 1985, Romanian Review, volume 39, numbers 6-12, page 22:
- Eumeus, who was sitting on the stairs, pointed to the roof of the stable. Perched on its top, huddled together, three owlings were ogling them.
- 1994, Cascade Holistic Economic Consultants, Different drummer magazine, volume 1, number 1, page 22:
- But the spotted owl isn't at the top of the food chain. Instead, the larger great horned owl will eat spotted owls, owlings, or eggs whenever it can.