tonguing

1. gerundparticiplepresentpresent participle and gerund of tongue

plural tonguings

1. countableuncountableA licking or lapping with the tongue.

   Your partner will be so eager to be licked and caressed that your introductory tonguings in this area just won't be enough.

   1992, The Ultimate Sex Book

2. countableuncountableentertainmentA technique used with wind instruments to enunciate different notes using the tongue on the reed or mouthpiece.
3. countablehistoricaluncountableflensing, cutting off strips of blubber in the butchering of a whale.

   Soon may the Wellerman come/To bring us sugar and tea and rum./One day, when the tonguing is done/We'll take our leave and go.

   Unknown, recorded 1971, Unknown, "Soon May the Wellerman Come"

   1 more example

   While there had been four parties operating during 1837, the following season saw a reduction to three stations and one 'tonguing party' that salvaged blubber from the whale carcasses discarded by pelagic whaling vessels.

   2010, Martin Gibbs, The Shore Whalers of Western Australia, page 17

4. countableuncountableFrench kissing