Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

-ing \-ing\
   1. [For OE. -and, -end, -ind, AS. -ende; akin to Goth. -and-,
      L. -ant-, -ent-, Gr. ?.] A suffix used to from present
      participles; as, singing, playing.

   2. [OE. -ing, AS. -ing, -ung.] A suffix used to form nouns
      from verbs, and signifying the act of; the result of the
      act; as, riding, dying, feeling. It has also a secondary
      collective force; as, shipping, clothing.

   Note: The Old English ending of the present participle and
         verbal noun became confused, both becoming -ing.

   3. [AS. -ing.] A suffix formerly used to form diminutives;
      as, lording, farthing.