[f. WHEEZE v. + -ING1.] The action of the verb WHEEZE.
1538. Elyot, Addit., Asthma … a sycknesse, where one maye not fetche his wynde but with moche difficultie, with weasynge [1565 Cooper wheesing] of the breast.
1576. [T. Twyne], Schoolm., I. xxviii. D iij b. Cresses … clense the Lunges, and take away the wheesing.
1683. Tryon, Way to Health, 178. Coughs, Wheesings, Shortness of Breath.
1758. Phil. Trans., L. 572. She had a frequent and severe cough, with great shortness of breath and a wheezing.
1848. Dickens, Dombey, xxvi. The Major … fell into a fit of wheezing.
1898. Allbutt’s Syst. Med., V. 283. In the treatment of the attacks of wheezing, so often met with in emphysema.
transf. 1862. Smiles, Engineers, III. 9. The working of a Newcomen engine is … accompanied by an extraordinary amount of wheezing, sighing, creaking, and bumping.
