[f. CHIRRUP v. + -ING1.] The action of the verb CHIRRUP.
1579. Spenser, Sheph. Cal., June. Thy rymes … Whose Echo taught the byrdes … Frame to thy songe their cheerfull cheriping.
1774. Goldsm., Nat. Hist., VII. 351. Except in the very coldest weather, they [crickets] never cease their chirruping.
1871. Earle, Philol. Eng. Tong., § 660. The first attempts to speak are mere chirrupings.
