Definition of "birching" [birching]

• Present participle of birch. (verb)
• A beating with a birch. (noun)

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• "It involved a "fives batting," that is, a "birching" carried out with"
• "There is also a simply delightful encounter with a birching enthusiast named Mr. Barvile."
• "Over the years, I'd gone from what I fondly imagined to be a switched-on, youngish-minded mum to a rancid, middle-aged harridan, glaring at shrieking texting huddles in the street – youngsters I didn't even know, but would consider lightly birching."