Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Mousing \Mous"ing\, n.
   1. The act of hunting mice.

   2. (Naut.) A turn or lashing of spun yarn or small stuff, or
      a metallic clasp or fastening, uniting the point and shank
      of a hook to prevent its unhooking or straighening out.

   3. A ratchet movement in a loom.

   {Mousing hook}, a hook with an attachment which prevents its
      unhooking.