[Cf. BELL sb.2, from which the vb. is prob. formed.] intr. Of hops: To be, begin to be, in bell.
1574. R. Scot, Hop Gard. (1578), 33. At Saint Margarets daye Hoppes blowe, and at Lammas they bell.
1669. W[orlidge], Syst. Agric. (1681), 150, marg. When Hops Blow, Bell, and Ripen.
1753. Chambers, Cycl. Supp., s.v. Belling, Hops blow towards the end of July, and bell the latter end of August.
1819. Rees, Cycl., Belling of hops, denotes their opening and expanding to their customary shape.
