For forms see sb. [f. CLICKET sb.: cf. F. cliqueter to make a clicking noise.] Hence Clicketing vbl. sb. and ppl. a.
1. trans. To latch or lock.
1362. Langl., P. Pl., A. VI. 103. Þe dore I-closet I-keiȝet and I-kliketed [1377 clicketed] to [kepe] þe þeroute.
2. intr. To chatter.
1573. Tusser, Husb. (1878), 169. With hir that will clicket make daunger to cope, least quickly hir wicket seeme easie to ope.
1611. Cotgr., Cliquettement, a clicketting, clattering, clapping, clacking; chattering.
a. 1825. Forby, Voc. E. Anglia, Clicket, to chatter.
3. Of the fox: To be in heat, to copulate. Also transf. (Perhaps a distinct word.)
1575. Turberv., Venerie, 189. When a bytche foxe goeth on clycqueting … she cryeth with a hollowe voyce like unto the howling of a madde dogge. Ibid., lxxv. 363. The Wolfe … goeth on clicketing in February.
1616. Fletcher, Hum. Lieutenant, II. iv. Must ye be clicketing?
1629. Massinger, Picture, III. iv. (1630), G 4 b. Cannot you clicket Without a fee…?
a. 1658. Cleveland, Count. Com. Man (1677), 101. They Trade in productions three Stories high, Suckling the first, Big with the second and Clicketing for the third.
1870. Gd. Words, May, 312. A sudden bark … exactly like that of a clicketting fox.
1881. J. Payne, 1001 Nights, I. 3. And they ceased not from kissing and clipping and clicketing and carousing until the day began to wane.
