stocking Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun close-fitting hosiery to cover the foot and leg; come in matched pairs (usually used in the plural)
  2. noun the activity of supplying a stock of something
    • he supervised the stocking of the stream with trout
  3. verb have on hand
    carry; stockpile; stock.
    • Do you carry kerosene heaters?
  4. verb equip with a stock
    stock.
    • stock a rifle
  5. verb supply with fish
    stock.
    • stock a lake
  6. verb supply with livestock
    stock.
    • stock a farm
  7. verb amass so as to keep for future use or sale or for a particular occasion or use
    stock up; buy in; stock.
    • let's stock coffee as long as prices are low
  8. verb provide or furnish with a stock of something
    stock.
    • stock the larder with meat
  9. verb put forth and grow sprouts or shoots
    sprout; stock.
    • the plant sprouted early this year

WordNet

Stock"ing noun
Etymology
From Stock, which was formerly used of a covering for the legs and feet, combining breeches, or upper stocks, and stockings, or nether stocks.
Definitions
  1. A close-fitting covering for the foot and leg, usually knit or woven.
Stock"ing transitive verb
Definitions
  1. To dress in GBs. Dryden.

Webster 1913