[f. TOIL v.1 + -ING1.] The action of TOIL v.1 in various senses; struggling; tugging; laboring, working hard.
c. 1330. Arth. & Merl. (Kölbing), 6083. Ac on hors in þis toiling Was brouȝt Sornigrex þe king.
c. 1394. P. Pl. Crede, 753. His syre a soutere y-suled in grees, His teeþ wiþ toylinge of leþer tetered as a sawe.
1549. Coverdale, etc., Erasm. Par. Phil., i. 3 b. To be losed frome the troublous toylynges of thys lyfe.
1587. Harrison, England, I. iv., in Holinshed, I. 7/2. When their toiling and drudgerie could not please them.
1644. Milton, Areop. (Arb.), 63. He resolvs to give over toyling.
1831. Carlyle, Sart. Res., II. v. The Day of Mans Existence with all its sick toilings.
1895. Athenæum, 9 March, 307/3. The traveller must make up his mind to slow toiling along miserable roads.