vbl. sb. [f. as prec. + -ING1.]
1. The action of the vb. FLAVOUR (see FLAVOUR v. 2); also attrib., as flavouring-essence, -purpose.
1845. Cooley, Cycl. Pract. Receipts (ed. 2), s.v. Essence of Soup Herbs.… A superior flavouring essence for soups, gravies, &c.
1867. ‘Guila,’ Invalid’s Ck., i. (ed. 3), 2. Celery seeds … are a capital aid in flavouring.
1892. Pall Mall G., 5 Oct., 7/2. The liquor … which is to be used for flavouring purposes.
2. concr. Something used for giving flavor to food or drink.
1845. Cooley, Cycl. Pract. Receipts (ed. 2), s.v. Essence.… For the essences used as perfumes and flavouring, not only must the spirit be perfectly tasteless and scentless, but it must be also quite devoid of colour.
1887. L. Oliphant, Episodes, 150. He had been careful before starting to lay in a good supply of sauces and flavourings.
fig. 1888. Athenæum, 11 Aug., 181/3. The modern ‘romantic ballad’ too often produces the effect of having been made to order, like a pudding from a recipe, with painfully selected plums of archaic speech, and an orthodox flavouring of ejaculatory irrelevance in italics.
