[-ING2.] That curls; see the verb.

1

1632.  Lithgow, Trav., VII. (1682), 314. Flocks of flying Fishes, scudding upon the curling Waves.

2

1700.  Dryden, Pal. & Arc., III. 181. The curling smoke mounts heavy from the fires.

3

1782.  Cowper, Gilpin, 69. Each bottle had a curling ear.

4

1849.  Dickens, B. Rudge, xxxi. The sun … flung across the curling mist bright bars of gold.

5

  Hence Curlingly adv.

6

1611.  Cotgr., Crespément, crispingly, frizlingly, curlingly.

7

1828.  Miss Mitford, Village, Ser. III. (1863), 490. The smoke from whose chimneys sailed curlingly amongst [the trees].

8