gooding, vbl. n.
(ˈgʊdɪŋ)
[f. good v. (but in sense 2 app. f. good n.) + -ing1.]
† 1. The action of doing good to, or of improving.
| 1567 Turberv. Ovid's Ep. 137 b, Least I be thought for gooding of my cause False matter to alledge. |
b. The action of manuring (land); concr. manure. (Cf. good v. 4.)
| 1602 Extracts Aberd. Reg. (1848) II. 227 Sic persones within the burgh, as sellis fulzie or guding to extranearis, for guiding and manuring of thair landis. 1701 J. Brand Descr. Orkney, etc. (1703) 19 The skirts of the Isles..do more abound with Corns, then Places at a greater distance from the Sea, where they have not such gooding at hand. 1834 Brit. Husb. I. 414 That he may thus preserve the seep or gooding, or his stable-manure. |
2. The practice of begging; now dial. the custom of collecting alms on St. Thomas's day (see quot. 1818, hence locally called Gooding Day). Also, to go († send) a-gooding.
| 1560 in Stow's Surv. (ed. Strype 1754) II. vi. iv. 638/1 That old Woman..that might work, and went a Gooding should be Hatchilers of the Flax. 1649 W. Blithe Eng. Improv. Impr. (1653) 93 Some cruell Lord..could..dispeople a whole parish, and send many soules a gooding. 1818 Todd s.v., To go a gooding, is a custom observed in several parts of England on St. Thomas's day by women only, who ask alms, and in return for them wish all that is good..to their benefactors [etc.]. 1851 S. Judd Margaret x. (1871) 50 Thanks-giving day..has no gooding, candles, clog, carol, box, or hobby-horse. 1886 in S.W. Linc. Gloss. 1889 in Hurst Horsham Gloss. |