ZANYING

Verb

zanying

present participle of zany

Source: Wiktionary

ZANY

Za"ny, n.; pl. Zanies. Etym: [It. zanni a buffoon, merry-andrew, orig. same as Giovanni John, i. e., merry John, L. Ioannes, Gr. Yokhanan, prop., the Lord graciously gave: cf. F. zani, fr. the Italian. Cf. Jenneting.]

Definition: A merry-andrew; a buffoon. Then write that I may follow, and so be Thy echo, thy debtor, thy foil, thy zany. Donne. Preacher at once, and zany of thy age. Pope.

Za"ny, v. t.

Definition: To mimic. [Obs.] Your part is acted; give me leave at distance To zany it. Massinger.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition