north. dial. [f. CANT v.4 + -ING1.] Sale by auction.
1651. Newsletter, 22 May, in ‘Milton’ State Papers (1743), 68. The Venetians made lately an edict that they should sell all the offices within the City, by way of cantinge, to rayse monies.
1691. Ray, N. C. Wds., Canting, auctio.
1825. Brockett, N. Country Gloss., 37. Canting, a sale by auction, proclaimed publicly on the spot where it is to take place.
1875. Robinson, Whitby Gloss. (E. D. S.), s.v., ‘We will call a canting,’ hold a sale. ‘A cannle-canting’ [= sale by inch of candle].
Canting vbl. sb.4: see CANT v.5
