Milling
/ˈmɪlɪŋ/noun
The process of grinding, crushing, or processing grain or other materials in a mill; also, moving about in a confused crowd.
Did you know?The word ultimately goes back to Proto-Indo-European *mel- meaning “to grind,” a root that also lives in words for millstones, meal, and even the idea of pulverizing something down to its essence.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*mel-
“to grind, crush, or pulverize”
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
*muliną
“a mill, grinding device”
Old English
OE
mylen
“a mill, grinding apparatus”
Middle English
ME
mille, milling
“the act of grinding or processing in a mill”
Modern English
English
milling
“the act or process of grinding, crushing, or processing; a crowd moving about aimlessly”