deviling
English
Etymology 1
See the etymology of the corresponding lemma form.
Verb
deviling
- present participle and gerund of devil
Etymology 2
Noun
deviling (plural devilings)
- A small or young devil.
- 1616–1619 (first performance), John Fletcher, Philip Massinger, Nathan Field, “The Knight of Malta”, in Comedies and Tragedies […], London: […] Humphrey Robinson, […], and for Humphrey Moseley […], published 1647, →OCLC, Act V, scene ii, page 95, column 2:
- Away French ſtallion, now you have a Barbary mare of your own, go leap her, and engender young devillings.
References
- “deviling”, in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, Springfield, Mass.: G. & C. Merriam, 1913, →OCLC.