vbl. sb. [f. CLUB v. + -ING1.] The action of the verb CLUB.
1. Beating with clubs. Also attrib.
1593. Tell-Troth’s N. Y. Gift (1876), 20. Knauish Ielosy should be requited with clubbing iniury.
1753. [see CLUB v. 1].
2. Hort. A disease in cabbages, etc.
1836. Penny Cycl., VI. 93/2. Cabbages are subject to a peculiar disease … the bottom of the stem enlarges, and the plant becomes sickly. This disease is called clubbing.
1882. A. Carey, Princ. Agric., xix. 165. Clubbing is … caused by the larva of an insect.
3. Combining in clubs or parties; social or political association. Also attrib.
c. 1645. Howell, Lett. (1650), II. lv. 72. The Turk … hath also a drink called Cauphe … it may be called their clubbing drink between meals.
1658. Ussher, Ann., 279. He [Alexander] … instituted certain set feasts and clubbings.
1660. Pepys, Diary, 26 July. We went to Wood’s at the Pell Mell, our old house for clubbing.
1790. Burke, Fr. Rev., 316. All this civic swearing, clubbing, and feasting.
1880. Echo, 24 Dec., 1/6. Morning assemblies of the academical youth for drinking and clubbing have now become the fashion.
4. Of shot: The forming of clusters or balls: see CLUB v. 5 b.
5. The joining of two or more periodicals in one subscription; hence clubbing list, price. U.S.
1880. Boston Jrnl. Chem., Clubbing List & Circular. The clubbing price of any American or foreign periodical not on the list will be furnished on application.
