Also 5–6 flem(m)yng(e, 6–7 flemming(e, 7 flemin(e. [a MDu. Vlâming (cf. ON. Flǽmingr, OHG. Flaming, med.L. Flamingus, Sp. flamenco, Pg. Flamengo, Pr. Flamenc, Fr. Flamand), f. Flâm- (whence Flanders) + xuffix -ING3.]
1. A native or inhabitant of Flanders.
c. 1430. Lydg., Min. Poems, 105.
| Where Flemynges began on me for to cry, | |
| ‘Master, what will you copen or by? | |
| Fyne felt hattes, or spectacles to reede? | |
| Lay down your sylver, and here you may speede.’ |
1574. R. Scot, Hop Gard. (1578), 7–8. The more paynes you take, and the more cost you bestowe rightly herevpon, the more you doe double your profite, and the nearer you resemble the trade of the Flemming.
c. 1645. Howell, Lett. (1650), II. 30. Charles the Emperor (and he was of a more temperat mould, than a Spaniard, being a Flemin born).
1846. McCulloch, Acc. Brit. Empire (1854), I. 645. The Flemings, invited over and protected by Edward III., gave the first great impulse to the woollen manufacture.
† 2. A Flemish vessel. Obs.
1595. Drake, Voy. (Hakluyt Soc.), 7. We met with a small flemminge bounde for the Streights.
3. attrib. quasi-adj. passing into adj.
1561. Child Marriages (E.E.T.S.), 70. A paire of Flemynge knyves.
1588. Extracts Burgh Rec. Edin., 8 May. The twa Flemyng wobsters dwelland within this burgh.
1656. Ben Israel, Vind. Judæorum, 3. I have thrice seen when some Flemine Christians have fallen into the river in our ward, called Flemburgh, our nation cast themselves into the river to them, to help them out, and to deliver their lives from death.
