Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Petitioning \Pe*ti"tion*ing\, n.
   The act of presenting apetition; a supplication.

Petition \Pe*ti"tion\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Petitioned}; p. pr.
   & vb. n. {Petitioning}.]
   To make a prayer or request to; to ask from; to solicit; to
   entreat; especially, to make a formal written supplication,
   or application to, as to any branch of the government; as, to
   petition the court; to petition the governor.

         You have . . . petitioned all the gods for my
         prosperity.                              --Shak.