ˈcock-throwing, vbl. n.
The sport of throwing sticks at a cock tied to a post, to try who should succeed in knocking it down or killing it: formerly an ordinary Shrove-tide pastime.
| 1640 Wit's Recreations (N.), Cock-throwing. Cock-a-doodle do, 'tis the bravest game. 1681 W. Robertson Phraseol. Gen. (1693) 342 Cockthrowing at Shrovetide, Gallicidium. 1753 Scots Mag. Feb. 103/2 (title) Against cock-throwing. 1825 Beverley Lighting Act ii. 17 Or throw at any cock or fowl in the manner called cock-throwing. 1869 Lecky Europ. Mor. II. iv. 174 note, Cock-throwing—the favourite English game of throwing a stick..at cocks. |