flooding, vbl. n.
(ˈflʌdɪŋ)
[f. flood v. + -ing1.]
1. The action of the vb. flood; an instance of it.
| 1799 J. Robertson Agric. Perth 166 Rivers, which, by their flooding, have..formed the richest and deepest mould. |
b. pl. Floods. In quots. fig.: Fullness, superabundance.
| 1674 N. Fairfax Bulk & Selv. Ep. Ded., To..drown their sorrows for the jewel that was lost, in the floudings of their joy for the Cabinet that was left. 1854 Mrs. Browning Drama of Exile Poems 1850 I. 18 Thy body heaves Under the golden floodings of thine hair! |
2. A popular term for uterine hæmorrhage, esp. in connexion with parturition.
| 1710 T. Fuller Pharm. Extemp. 299, I should by no means advise it to any..apt to Flouding. 1859 Waller in Hulme tr. Moquin-Tandon ii. iii. 162 Cases of hæmorrhage..which from their severity are termed ‘floodings’. |