pricking

verb

1. (form-of, gerund, participle, present)present participle and gerund of prick

noun

1. (countable, uncountable)The act of piercing or puncturing with a sharp point.

   “The prickings of thorns”

2. (countable, figuratively, uncountable)A sensation that pricks, or causes sharp emotional pain.

   “the prickings of conscience”

3. (countable, uncountable)The driving of a nail into a horse's foot so as to produce lameness.

   “THE pricking a horse has proved to be as useless an operation as it is simple, seldom or never having the desired effect; consequently the practice should be abolished”

4. (countable, uncountable)A nicking.

   “No better material can be used than seggar or underclay prickings”

5. (countable, uncountable)The act of tracing a hare by its footmarks.
6. (countable, obsolete, uncountable)Dressing oneself for show; prinking.