cocking

Interestingly the term cocking a gun comes from flintlock muskets of 17th century, the hammer was very ornate and resembled a rooster (a cock).

purplecigar Diary Entry purplecigar 2004

Cockfighting, also known as "cocking," is a bloodsport that dates to colonial times in the United States and has offered gamblers a venue for betting around the world.

Cracking Down on Cockfighting 2008

The difficulty you had "cocking" it reminds me of the medieval crossbow.

small accomplishments Holly 2005

Cricket had hardly taken practical shape, but representative contests did take place in the favourite pastime of cock-fighting -- or "cocking" as it was always called in the last century -- in which contests the Hertfordshire side of the town brought its birds into the pit against those of the

Fragments of Two Centuries Glimpses of Country Life when George III. was King Alfred Kingston

Windsor Castle, or the New Houses of Parliament, be assured that loyalty and John Bullism reign there; and, although you meet with no servility, you will not be disgusted with vulgar assumption, such as cocking up dirty legs in dirty boots on a dirty stove, wearing the hat, and not deigning to answer a civil question.

Canada and the Canadians Volume I Richard Henry Bonnycastle 1819

I can certainly remember the 'cocking' fad being everywhere in Afghan on my recent forays and I certainly didn't feel smirched by it.

Army Rumour Service 2010

He begged to return his best thanks for himself and brother sods, and only regretted he had not been taught speaking in his youth, or he would certainly have convinced them all, that 'cocking' was the sport. "

Jorrocks' Jaunts and Jollities Robert Smith Surtees 1833

This question spilled from the row of twenty EKG machines that now made up the hospital building's larynx, located in the middle of what looked like it was once the lobby, after cocking the beak of its awning toward Carl.

Flannery O'Connor's Tea Party J. Bradley 2011

The Reman flinched, cocking his head to one side for a second.

Star Trek: Typhon Pact: Rough Beasts of Empire David R. George III 2011

Giles stopped his caresses, cocking his head and setting his gaze once more on the end of the screen.

How to Woo a Reluctant Lady Deborah Gonzales 2011