vbl. sb. Also 6 espousein. [f. ESPOUSE v. + -ING1.] The action of the vb. ESPOUSE in various senses.

1

1531.  Dial. on Laws Eng., II. xxv. (1638), 106. A Man hath two sons, one borne before espousein, and the other after espousels.

2

1632.  Sherwood, An espousing, mariement.

3

1687.  Bp. Cartwright, in Magd. Coll. (Oxf. Hist. Soc.), 188. The espousing of your cause.

4