Obs. [f. COLL v.1 + -ING1.] Embracing, hugging.

1

1388.  Wyclif, Prov. vii. 18. Vse we collyngis that ben coueited [1382 the coueited clippingis].

2

1575.  Gascoigne, Flowers, Wks. (1587), 94. Kisses caught by stealth; Sweet colings.

3

1631.  Mabbe, Celestina, xix. 188. Their tongues ake not with talking, nor their armes with colling, nor their lips with kissing.

4

1690.  Dryden, Amphitryon, I. ii. You keep such a billing and colling here.

5