[f. TICK v.1 + -ING1.]
1. Touching lightly or wantonly; dallying: see TICK v.1 1. Obs. exc. dial.
1546. J. Heywood, Prov. (1867), 58. Leaue lewde tickyng.
1611. Cotgr., Amourettes, wanton loue-toyes, ticking, ticklings, daliances.
2. The beating sound of a clock or watch, or any similar sound: see TICK v.1 2, TICK sb.3 2.
1746–7. Hervey, Medit. (1767), II. 23. The Ticking of my Watch is distinctly heard.
1827. F. Cooper, Prairie, i. The ticking of gun-locks was heard.
1848. Dickens, Dombey, xliii. She could … count the ticking of the clock.
b. transf. A telegraphic message: cf. TICKER 3 b.
1888. M. Arnold, in 19th Cent., April, 490. I opened a Boston newspaper and came upon a column headed ‘Tickings.’ By tickings we are to understand news conveyed through the tickings of the telegraph.
3. Small spots or points of color forming the marking of an animal.
This use may have arisen from TICKED a. by association with TICK sb.3 3, 3 b and TICK v.1 3.
1885. Bazaar, 30 March, 1269/2. Belgian hare buck, good in colour and ticking.
1886. Field, 20 March, 340/2. Interspersed with a profusion of longer black hairs, giving the appearance known as ‘ticking.’
