Forms: α. 7 Sc. tyking, 7–8 tiking; β. 7–8 tickin, 7– ticking. See also TICKEN. [f. TICK sb.2 + -ING1.] The material of which bed-ticks are made: see TICK sb.2
α. 1649. Caldwell Pap. (Maitl. Cl.), I. 102. For ane new sheitt of tyking to ye lard’s horss 1. 16. 0.
1674. Jeake, Arith. (1696), 65. In 1 Hundred of Tiking and Twill of Scotland, 120 Ells.
1726. Swift, Gulliver, IV. x. I had beaten hemp,… and made of it a sort of tiking: This I filled with … feathers.
β. a. 1661. Fuller, Worthies, Lancs. (1662), II. 106. It will be the safest way to wrap them all together in some Manchester-Tickin.
1815. J. Smith, Panorama Sci. & Art, II. 735. Oil-paintings are generally executed on canvass…. A kind of ticking has lately been much used.
1883. Blackw. Mag., Aug., 192. She wore over her gown of ticking a great apron of grey stuff.
b. Rarely applied to the tick or cover itself.
1683. Tryon, Way to Health, 595. You may have Flock-Beds, with Canvas-Tickings.
1833. Marryat, P. Simple, xxi. He … put it … away in the ticking of his bed.
c. attrib. Of the nature of or made of ticking.
1676. Covel, in Early Voy. Levant (Hakl. Soc.), 164. A bed … of twilt or ticking sattin.
1682. Wheler, Journ. Greece, I. 16. Course Ticking-Cloth, well quilted with Wool.
1721. Mrs. Centlivre, Artifice, III. The dirtiest Trollup … must have her Top-knot and Tickin-shoes.
1756. C. Lucas, Ess. Waters, I. 229. A sliding seat, with a thin ticking bottom.
