As a noun: the act of attaching bells or the sound of bells ringing. As a verb: the present participle of 'bell,' meaning to put bells on something or ring bells.
From Old English 'bellan' meaning 'to make a loud noise.' The '-ing' suffix creates both the present participle and a gerund form referring to the practice itself.
Belling has an unexpected meaning in hunting—when hounds 'bell' or hunters go 'belling' during mating season, they're actually tracking animals by listening to their calls, not literal bells!
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