vbl. sb. (now vulgar). [f. CHAW v. + -ING1.] Chewing (e.g., tobacco); fig. ‘rumination.’ Also attrib.
c. 1535. Dewes, Introd. Fr., in Palsgr., 903. The chawyng, le macer.
1580. Hollyband, Treas. Fr. Tong, Remaschement, a chawing of the cudde.
1693. W. Robertson, Phraseol. Gen., 328. A chewing or chawing.
1845. [Emma Robinson], Whitehall, I. xix. 220. ’Tis an observation for your chawing.
