PREENING
Verb
preening
present participle of preen
Noun
preening (plural preenings)
A grooming or posturing.
Source: Wiktionary
PREEN
Preen, n. Etym: [AS. preĂłn a clasp, bodkin; akin to D. priem punch,
bodkin, awl, G. pfriem, Icel. prjonn a knitting needle, pin, Dan.
preen a bodkin, punch.]
Definition: A forked tool used by clothiers in dressing cloth.
Preen, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Preened; p. pr. & vb. n. Preening.] Etym:
[See Preen, n.; or cf. Prune.]
1. To dress with, or as with, a preen; to trim or dress with the
beak, as the feathers; -- said of birds. Derham.
2. To trim up, as trees. [Prov. Eng.] Halliwell.
Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition