[f. TICK sb.1 + -ED2: see quot. 1688, and cf. flea-bitten; in mod. use associated with TICK sb.3 3 b.] Of a dog: Having small markings or spots as if bitten by ticks: cf. tick spot (TICK sb.1 3); hence of birds, etc.: spotted, dotted.
1688. R. Holme, Armoury, III. 185/2. Ticked, when a Dog is spotted with black on white, or with white spots on black, and the like of the fallow and white, which proceeds from the biteing of Ticks.
1828. Miss Mitford, Village, Ser. III. Introd. 6. The puppy … is fawn-coloured with a dash of white, and promises to be ticked. Are you sportswoman sufficient to know that ticked means covered all over with white spots about the size of a pea?
1873. Spectator, 22 Feb., 239/2. Canaries,… the evenly marked Yellows and Buffs, the ‘ticked’ or unevenly marked Yellows and Buffs.
1897. Outing (U.S.), XXIX. 367/2. Dora [a dog] was so closely ticked that when in a brush-heap checkered black and white, it was almost impossible to see her.
1902. Fur & Feather, 19 Sept., 207/2. Cats…. Female … smooth grey ticked.
