owling

English

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈaʊ.lɪŋ/

Etymology 1

From owl +‎ -ing.

Noun

owling (uncountable)

1. Birding, specifically to catch owls.
2. (historical) The smuggling of sheep or wool out of England.
3. (Internet slang) A variation on planking in which a person is photographed or filmed squatting down in an unusual location.

Related terms

• owler

Etymology 2

From owl +‎ -ling.

Alternative forms

• owlling

Noun

owling (plural owlings)

1. A small, juvenile, or baby owl; owlet.
   • 1940, Canadian Forestry Association, Forest and outdoors - Volume 36 - Page 344:

     Owls are extra hungry then, there being a batch of Greatlings or Hornlings or Owlings or whatever Great Horned Owl babies are called sitting on the edge of a nest waiting on Pa and Ma Owl to bring home the bacon.

   • 1985, Romanian Review, volume 39, numbers 6-12, page 22:

     Eumeus, who was sitting on the stairs, pointed to the roof of the stable. Perched on its top, huddled together, three owlings were ogling them.

   • 1994, Cascade Holistic Economic Consultants, Different drummer magazine, volume 1, number 1, page 22:

     But the spotted owl isn't at the top of the food chain. Instead, the larger great horned owl will eat spotted owls, owlings, or eggs whenever it can.

Anagrams

• glowin', lowing