[f. CHAMP v. + -ING1.] The action of the vb. CHAMP; chewing with vigorous action, mashing.
1592. Lyly, Mydas, IV. iii. 49. Give mee a pastie for a parke … then shalt see a notable champing.
1714. Mandeville, Fab. Bees (1725), I. 162. This little bit, after much chomping and chewing … goes down with him like chop’d hay.
1857. Livingstone, Trav., xv. 268. When eating, they [alligators] make a loud champing noise.
1863. J. L. W., By-gone Days, 9. The beating, or, as it was called, the ‘champin’,’ of the potatoes was a work of strength.
1882. A. Jessopp, in 19th Cent., No. 69. 738. My informant … heard the champing of the bits.
