vbl. sb. [f. as prec. + -ING1.]

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  1.  The catching of birds by night when at roost.

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c. 1440.  Promp. Parv., 26. Batte fowlynge, aucubaculatus.

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1530.  Palsgr., 197/1. Batfoulyng, la pipée.

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1610.  Shaks., Temp., II. i. 185. We vvould so, and then go a Bat-fowling.

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1727.  Bradley, Fam. Dict., s.v. Bird, Bat fowling … may be used with nets or without.

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1873.  Browning, Red Cott. Nt.-cap, 1405. Bat-fowling is all fair with birds at roost; The lantern and the clapnet suit the hedge.

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  fig.  a. 1670.  Hacket, Abp. Williams, II. (1692), 66. They that go a batt-fowling in the dark, to seek matter of crimination.

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  † 2.  slang. Swindling, victimizing the simple. Obs.

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1602.  Rowlands, Greene’s Cony-catchers, 8. As for Conicatching, they cleape it Batfowling, the wine the Strap, and the cards the Limetwigs.

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1608.  Dekker, Belman Lond., Wks. 1885, III. 131. Sometimes likewise this Card-cheating … is called Batt fowling, and then ye Setter is the Beater.

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