pigsticking
(ˈpɪgˌstɪkɪŋ)
[f. pig n.1 + sticking vbl. n.]
1. The hunting of the wild boar with a spear. Also attrib.
| 1848 Thackeray Van. Fair lx, Describing the sport of pigsticking..with great humour and eloquence. 1881 J. Grant Cameronians I. iii. 32 The dinner-gong..recalled his thoughts from pig-sticking and Central India. 1907 Yesterday's Shopping (1969) 666/2 The usual length for pig-sticking lances is:—For use in Bengal Presidency, 6 ft. 6 in. to 7 ft. 1910 Blackw. Mag. Apr. 559/1 The Ganges Cup was first run for in 1869 after the pig-sticking season. 1972 Shooting Times & Country Mag. 1 July 21/2, I now treat you to a potted picture of a typical pig-sticking run. |
2. The butchering of swine by sticking a knife into the heart or aorta.
| 1884 M. Arnold in Harper's Mag. Oct. 797/2, I would not go to see the pig-sticking at the stock-yards. |
Hence ˈpigstick v. intr., to hunt the wild boar.
| 1891 Kipling City Dreadf. Nt. 74 Animals who stand on one hind leg and beckon with all the rest, or try to pigstick in harness. |