owling

noun

owl·​ing

ˈau̇liŋ

plural -s

: the act of smuggling wool or sheep out of England

also : the carrying on of contraband trade of any kind

Word History

Etymology

owl entry 1 + -ing; probably from the nocturnal habits of the owl

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

• More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
• Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
• Advanced search features
• Ad free!