Now somewhat arch. Forms: see TOUCH v.; also 4 -end(e, 4, 5 Sc. -and(e. [The pres. pple. of TOUCH v. used prepositionally; cf. CONCERNING prep. Prob. after F. touchant, used in the same way: see also TOUCHANT.]
1. (introd.) Where touching is in concord with a prec. sb. or pron., and may be rendered ‘that refers or relates to’ (TOUCH v. 18, 20). In later use passing into 2. (Cf. CONCERNING prep. 1.)
c. 1350. Will. Palerne, 1383. For þe tyding þat þei told touchend hire fader.
1456. Sir G. Haye, Law Arms (S.T.S.), 10. The visioun touchand the first tyme of the soroufull persecucioun.
1542. Hen. VIII., in Buccleuch MSS. (Hist. MSS. Comm.), I. 221. Certeine thinges … towching vs and … our Realme.
1621. Elsing, Debates Ho. Lords (Camden), 129. There was debate touching Sir Gyles Mompesson.
1709–10. Steele, Tatler, No. 145, ¶ 1. A late Request … touching the Care of a young Daughter.
1867. Freeman, Norm. Conq., I. iv. 196, note. The dealings of the Assembly touching the abdication of Rolf.
2. Without concord, becoming entirely prepositional: In reference or relation to; as to, respecting, regarding; in the way of mentioning or treating of; concerning, about. (Cf. CONCERNING prep. 2.)
c. 1375. Cursor M., 23011 (Fairf.). Saint austin sais touchand [C., G. enent, T. of] þat day Is nane can goddis consail say.
c. 1400. Maundev. (Roxb.), xxiii. 107. Wonder sutell of witte towchand any thing þat þai will do.
1513. Douglas, Æneis, XII. Prol. 271. Twichand the lattyr buke of Dan Virgill.
1594. T. B., La Primaud. Fr. Acad., II. 49. The composition of the head touching the bones thereof.
1611. Bible, Transl. Pref., 5. This may suffice touching the Greeke translations of the old Testament.
1771. Smollett, Humph. Cl., 17 April. The master of the company being sent for, and examined touching the said Wilson.
1855. Dickens, Dorrit, II. xxviii. Touching the bargain, your … mother was a little too calm.
3. Preceded by as. (Cf. CONCERNING prep. 3.)
c. 1386. Chaucer, Frankl. T., 685. Mo than a thousand stories … Koude I now telle as touchynge this mateere.
1428. Munim. de Melros (Bann. Cl.), 521. As twichand þe plew of land in þe husbandry … þe assis saide it nedit na departisoun.
a. 1533. Ld. Berners, Huon, lix. 203. What counsell wyl ye geue me as touchyng ye admyrall?
1601. Holland, Pliny, X. xxxii. I. 287. As touching the Guls or Sea-cobs, they build in rockes.
1780. M. Madan, Thelyphthora (1781), I. 105. The exceeding ignorance of mankind as touching the acts and dispensations of that infinitely wise Being.
1890. Freeman, in W. R. W. Stephens, Life & Lett. (1895), II. 420. Your facts are very valuable, specially as touching your own stay in Crete.
† 4. Followed by of or to (and mostly preceded by as as in 3), forming a prepositional phr. Obs.
As touching for in Paston Lett., is app. a confusion between as touching and as for.
1390. Gower, Conf., I. 307. Now tell me forth if ther be more As touchende unto Wraththes lore. Ibid., III. 174. And as touchende of this bataille, Thou schalt noght of the sothe faile.
1417–9. Paston Lett., I. 10. As towchyng to the derth of vytayles withyn thys … Cytee. Ibid. (1450[?]), 161. As towchyng for tydyngs, I can none.
1523. [Coverdale], Old God & New (1534), P j. Speake as towchyng to ye workes of theym selues.
