Definition of "cocking" [cock•ing]

• Present participle of cock. (verb)
• Cockfighting (noun)
• Offensive or worthless (adjective)

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• "Interestingly the term cocking a gun comes from flintlock muskets of 17th century, the hammer was very ornate and resembled a rooster (a cock)."
• "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."
• "The difficulty you had "cocking" it reminds me of the medieval crossbow."