[f. LOW v.4 + -ING1.] The action of LOW v.4; the mooing of cattle; also transf.
a. 1225. Leg. Kath., 144. Lowinge of þæt ahte, ludinge of þe men.
c. 1440. Promp. Parv., 315/2. Lowynge, or cryynge of nette, mugitus.
1579. A. M[unday], Captiv. J. Fox, in Hakluyt, Voy. (1589), 153. Amongst the Turkes was one … who … fell off from the toppe of the prison wall, and made such a lowing that the inhabitants … came and dawed him.
1610. Shaks., Temp., IV. i. 179. Calfe-like, they my lowing follow’d.
1794. Wordsw., Guilt & Sorrow, lviii. Melancholy lowings intervene Of scattered herds.
1848. Dickens, Dombey, v. Here Miss Nipper made a horrible lowing.
1876. A. Laing, Lindores Abb., etc., xxiv. 309. The blowing of his horn, and the lowing of his charge.
