Obs. [f. SWAGE v.1 + -ING1.]
1. Assuagement, alleviation, relief.
1340–70. Alex. & Dind., 921. Aftur swaginge of swinc swiþe comeþ ioie.
1382. Wyclif, Eccl. xxxvi. 25. If ther is tunge of curing ther is and of swaging, and of mercy.
c. 1435. Wyntoun, Cron., IV. iii. 230. Qwhil þe ost þe huffynge made, And swagyn [v.r. swageing] of þe wattyr bayde.
1483. Cath. Angl., 373/1. A Swagynge, mitigacio.
1531. Tindale, Expos. 1 John ii. (1537), 19. The swagynge of woundes.
1543. Traheron, Vigo’s Chirurg., V. vi. 170. Yf medicine preuayle not for the swagynge of the toothe ache.
2. Subsidence into a state of quiescence, or the like.
c. 1440. Promp. Parv., 481/2. Swagynge of blood, stagnacio.
1530. Palsgr., 277/2. Swagyng, refrigeration.
3. concr. An otter’s excrement. (Cf. SWAGE sb.1 2.)
1590. Cockaine, Treat. Hunting, D ij. Your huntsman … must goe to the water; and seeke for the new swaging of an Otter.
So † Swaging ppl. a., alleviating.
1483. Cath. Angl., 372/2. Swagynge, mulcens.
