[f. as prec. + -ING2.]
1. That branches; that puts forth branches.
1382. Wyclif, Jer. xvii. 2. Ther braunching trees in heeȝe mounteynes.
1645. Milton, Arcades, 86. Under the shady roof Of braunching elm.
1725. Pope, Odyss., XIII. 122. High at the head a branching Olive grows.
1842. Tennyson, Vere de Vere, 27. Not thrice your branching limes have blown.
2. Spreading, ramifying, diverging; also, rambling, diffuse.
1720. Pope, Iliad, XXI. 446. The branching streams.
1810. Southey, Kehama, XVIII. vii. In branching veins.
1864. Burton, Scot Abr., II. i. 128. The Burnets … were a branching family.
3. Bearing antlers, antlered.
1667. Milton, P. L., VII. 470. The swift Stag … Bore up his branching head.
1718. Pope, Iliad, III. 37. So joys a lion, if the branching deer … his bulky prize, appear.
