beestings
(ˈbiːstɪŋz)
Forms: 1 b{yacu}sting, 5 bestynge, 6 biestings, 7 beestins, beestning, beestlings, 7–8 beestings, 7–9 beastlings, -ges, 8– beastings, 9 dial. beastin, biznings, beslings.
[OE. *b{iacu}esting, b{yacu}sting, as if f. a vb. *biestan ‘to yield beest,’ f. béost: see beest. Now usually in pl. form, which however is sometimes construed as a (collective) sing.]
1. = beest.
| c 1000 ælfric in Wright Voc. 28 Colustrum, b{yacu}sting, þicce meolc. 1483 Cath. Angl. 30 A bestynge, colustrum. 1574 Newton Health Mag. 32 The thicke and curdie Milke..commonly called Biestings, is very dangerous. 1611 Cotgr., Colostre, the first milke, tearmed beest, or beestings. 1625 B. Jonson Pans' Annivers. ad fin., Both the beesting of our Goates, and Kine. 1641 Best Farm. Bks. (1856) 11 An ewe is say'd to give beastlings three or fower dayes. 1697 Dryden Virgil (1806) II. 14 Who fill'd the pail with beestings of the cow. 1757 Lisle Husb. 353 Roman writers on husbandry forbid the colastra or beastings to be given to the calf. Mod. Northampt. Dial., We shall have some biznings tomorrow for a custard. 1844 H. Stephens Bk. Farm II. 458 The first milk that comes from the cow after calving is of a thick consistence and yellow colour, and is called biestings. 1847 W. C. L. Martin Ox 173/2 Some farmers refuse the first milk or beastings to the calf, ignorant that it is a purgative expressly intended by nature for this purpose. 1950 N.Z. Jrnl. Agric. July 4/2 The [cow's] first milk known as colostrum or ‘beastings’ contains substances which increase a calf's resistance to scours. |
| attrib. 1881 Tennyson Northern Cobbler xx, A beslings-puddin' an' Adam's wine. |
† 2. A disease caused by imbibing beastings. L.
colostratio.
Obs.| 1607 Topsell Four-f. Beasts 18 It breedeth in their mouthes the Colostracion or Beestings. |