[f. TURTLE sb.2 + -ING1.] The action or occupation of ‘fishing’ for or catching turtle. Also attrib., and as pres. pple. (as if from TURTLE v.2).
1669. Admiralty Crt. Exam., 77. 19 Aug. Intended to goe … with the ship to the island of Kiamanas to make a turtling voyage.
1726. G. Roberts, Four Yrs. Voy., 19. I sent my Boat ashore, to see … if any People were there a Turtling.
1753. Penn. Gaz., 20 Aug., 2/1. The Spanish Guarda Costas still continue to molest our Shipping at the Musqueto Shore, and have lately taken two small Vessels that were there Turtling.
1810. Sporting Mag., XXXV. 287. The French fishermen come there turtling.
1889. H. H. Romilly, Verandah in N. Guinea, 184. A turtling trip. Ibid., 189. The turtling was not very successful.
