Fathoming

vbl. sb. [f. as prec. + -ING¹.]

  1.  The action of encircling with the arms.

c. 1440.  Promp. Parv., 145. Fademynge, ulnacio.

1630.  Donne, Serm., lxxii. 736. A net is a large thing past thy Fadoming if thou cast it from thee, but if thou draw it to thee, it will lie upon thy arme.

  2.  The action or process of ascertaining the depth (of the sea, etc.).

1642.  Rogers, Naaman, 181. The fadoming of so bottomelesse depth.

1727.  Philip Quarll, 79. Being very expert in the Art of Fathoming, they fell to examining the Depth of those shallow-brain’d Fellows Pockets.

  b.  attrib., as fathoming-line.

a. 1800.  Cowper, Comm. Milton’s P. L., II. 934. This expression is like a fathoming-line put into our hands by the poet for the purpose of sounding an abyss without a bottom.

1874.  H. R. Reynolds, John Bapt., vi. § 1. 364. The prophet here plunged his fathoming line into a deep ocean.