▪ I. ˈbulling, vbl. n.1
See bull v.1 Also attrib.
| 1398 [see bull v.1]. 1607 Topsell Four-f. Beasts 57 The signes of their Bulling (as it is termed) are their cries, and disorderly forsaking their fellows. 1624 Fletcher Rule a Wife, &c. v. 1725 Bradley Fam. Dict. I. s.v. Cow, The Advantages of their bulling at that Time is, that they will calve in ten Months. 1950 J. G. Davis Dict. Dairying 84 Bulling heifer, a heifer which is the right age and size for being served. 1960 Times 9 May 3/3 The calfhood vaccination scheme allowed animals to be vaccinated up to the age of bulling. |
▪ II. ˈbulling, vbl. n.2
[f. bull v.1, or nonce-vb. f. bull n.1, + -ing1.]
(nonce-use) = bull-baiting.
| c 1645 Howell Lett. (1713) 124 The Pope hath sent divers Bulls against this Sport of bullings. |
▪ III. † ˈbulling, vbl. n.3 Obs.
[f. bull v.3 to deceive; cf. buller n.1 b.]
? Fraudulent scheming.
| 1532 More Confut. Barnes viii. Wks. (1557) 736/1 Hys asseheded exclamacions, and all hys busy bulling. |
▪ IV. † ˈbulling, vbl. n.4 Obs.—0.
[Cf. F. bouillir and L. bullīre to boil.]
The action of water issuing from a spring; bubbling.
| 1552 Huloet, Bullyng, bollynge, or bubblyng of water out of a sprynge. |
▪ V. † ˈbulling, ppl. a. Obs. rare—1.
[f. bull v.2]
That issues (papal) bulls.
| 1624 Essex's Ghost in Harl. Misc. (Malh.) III. 515 This bulling Pius. |