tonguing noun (-s) Etymology: from gerund of tongue (II) 1.: the act of one who tongues; also: the product of the act of making tongues < tonguing of matched boards > 2. a.: the act of using or applying the tongue; especially: tongue-lashing, scolding b.: use of the tongue in attacking or articulating notes on a wind instrument < tonguing rather than slurring is indicated for this passage > — compare double-tongue, single-tongue, triple-tongue