dial. Also 7 yoke, yeke, 8– yock, yeck, etc. [app. alteration of yox, YEX (q.v.) with subsequent assimilation to bolk, belk to belch. In mod. dials. yolk, yoak, yock are south-western and yeck is Sc.] intr. To hiccup; also, to utter a short cough, as a sheep. Hence Yolking, yelking vbl. sb. and ppl. a.
α. 1585. MS. Ashmole, 208 lf. 237 b. Whose vgly locks and yolkinge voice Did make all men a feard.
1598. Sylvester, Du Bartas, II. i. III. Furies, 414. Thirst, Yawning, Yolking, Casting, Shivering, Shaking.
c. 1700. Kennett, MS. Lansd., 1033 (E.D.D.). Applied to the short cough of a sheep, as the sheep yekes or yokes, or has a yeking or yoking.
β. 1527. Andrew, Brunswyke’s Distyll. Waters, H ij b. The same dronke in the maner aforesayd is good for the yelkyng, named Singultus.
c. 1532. Du Wes, Introd. Fr., in Palsgr., 954. To yelke, sangloutir.
1590. Barrough, Meth. Phisick, III. xi. (1596), 117. The meate being … so corrupted, causeth some to yelke. Ibid. When yelking is caused or fulnesse, vomiting is the best remedie.
1653. R. Sanders, Physiogn., 191. A yelking which followeth vomiting.
