-ING

suffix forming gerunds and nouns from verbs (or occas. from nouns), denoting: 1 a the verbal action or its result (asking; carving; fighting; learning). b the verbal action as described or classified in some way (tough going). 2 material used for or associated with a process etc. (piping; washing). 3 an occupation or event (banking; wedding). 4 a set or arrangement of (colouring; feathering). [OE -ung, -ing f. Gmc]