Hawking. [f. prec.] Of a hawk: To turn (once or twice) upon the wing, in order to recover herself before striking.
1633. Massinger, Guardian, I. i. The partridge sprung, He makes his stoop, but, wanting breath, is forced To cancelier.
1834. Mar. Edgeworth, Helen (Rtldg.), 166. Now right over the heron, and now she will canceleer.
b. fig. To turn aside, to swerve or digress.
a. 1697. Aubrey, Nat. Hist. Surrey (1719), V. 407. I will take the Boldness to cancelleer, and give a general Description of these Parts of England.
