Also 4 cheriss-, 5 chers-, chersch-. [f. CHERISH v. + -ING1.] The action of the vb. CHERISH in various senses.
a. 1300. Cursor M., 12174. Þan yode maria and iosep, Wit cherising to iesu spek.
c. 1440. Promp. Parv., 85. Cokerynge or grete cherschynge.
a. 1450. Knt. de la Tour (1868), 119. The frendes of her husbonde, that loued her for the gret goodnesse and chersinge that thei had founde in her.
c. 1450. Lonelich, Grail, xlii. 296. So mochel he hadde hem in chersyng.
1540. Morysine, Vives’ Introd. Wysd., C v b. The more cherisshynge that the carcase hath, the lesse is the soule loked upon.
1617. Markham, Caval., I. 76. So shall he … increase his cherishings.
1648. Herrick, Hesper., Treason. He acts the crime that gives it cherishing.
1667. Milton, P. L., VIII. 568. An outside: fair, no doubt, and worthy well Thy cherishing.
1824. J. Wilson, Life, i. (1878), 19. The cherishing of my lusts.
