despoiling, vbl. n.
(dɪˈspɔɪlɪŋ)
[f. as prec. + -ing1.]
1. The action of the verb despoil; robbing.
| 1552 Huloet, Despoylinge, despoliatio, spoliatio. 1793 Burke Corr. (1844) IV. 143 The despoiling a minister of religion. |
† 2. Spoil, plunder; esp., the arms or clothes of an enemy, the skin of a beast.
| c 1374 Chaucer Boeth. iv. met. vii. 147 He rafte þe despoylynge fro þe cruel lyoun, þat is to seyne he slouȝ þe lyoun and rafte hym hys skyn. |