Owling
from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Owl \Owl\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Owled}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Owling}.]
1. To pry about; to prowl. [Prov. Eng.]
[1913 Webster]
2. To carry wool or sheep out of England. [Obs.]
[1913 Webster]
Note: This was formerly illegal, and was done chiefly by
night.
[1913 Webster]
3. Hence, to carry on any contraband trade. [Eng.]
[1913 Webster]
from
Bouvier's Law Dictionary, Revised 6th Ed (1856)
OWLING, Eng. law. The offence of transporting wool or sheep out of the
kingdom.
2. The name is said to owe its origin to the fact that this offence was
carried on in the night, when the owl was abroad.
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