[f. CRACK v. + -ING2.]
1. That cracks or makes a sharp noise as in breaking; that breaks with a sharp report; that bursts asunder.
c. 1340. Gaw. & Gr. Knt., 1165. Wyth such a crakkande kry, as klyffes haden brusten.
1669. Worlidge, Syst. Agric., xiv. (1681), 300. Roaring or distant Thunders signifie Wind; but cracking or acute Thunders Winds and Rain.
1821. Clare, Vill. Minstr., I. 74. Cracking whip and jingling gears.
1868. Geo. Eliot, Sp. Gipsy, 243. I stepped across the cracking earth, and knew ’Twould yawn behind me.
† 2. Bragging, boasting; boastful. Obs.
1528. Roy, Sat. (Arb.), 43. Full of crakynge wordes inopinable.
1589. Puttenham, Eng. Poesie, III. xvi. (Arb.), 184. The craking Scotts … made this bald rime vpon the English-men.
1603. Breton, Packet Mad Lett., 11/2. A Cracking Coward was well cudgeld for his knauery.
1687. Montagu & Prior, Hind & Panth. Transv., 20. Come leave your Cracking tricks.
3. slang. Vigorous, ‘rattling,’ ‘thumping.’
1880. Lady F. Dixie, Across Patagonia, 159. He had gone quite ten miles at a cracking pace!
