Tupping
/ˈtʌpɪŋ/noun
The mating of sheep, or the act of a ram mating with a ewe.
Did you know?In historical English, “to tup” could also be used as a coarse human verb meaning to have sexual intercourse, extending the animal term into vulgar slang.
Etymological Timeline
Middle English, 14th Century
English
tup
“A male sheep, or ram; the exact earlier origin is uncertain, possibly connected with Scandinavian forms.”
Late Middle English
English
tuppen
“To mate, especially referring to a ram breeding with a ewe.”
Early Modern English
English
tup
“To copulate; also to breed sheep.”
Modern English
English
tupping
“The present participle or gerund of “tup,” chiefly used in farming and animal-breeding contexts.”