What does "owling" mean?

Birding, specifically to catch owls.

What is a synonym for "owling"?

Common synonyms include: owlet.

/ˈaʊ.lɪŋ/ noun

noun ·Rare ·Advanced level

Noun

1
Birding, specifically to catch owls. uncountable
2
A small, juvenile, or baby owl; owlet.
"Owls are extra hungry then, there being a batch of Greatlings or Hornlings or Owlings or whatever Great Horned Owl babies are called sitting on the edge of a nest waiting on Pa and Ma Owl to bring home the bacon."
3
The smuggling of sheep or wool out of England. historical, uncountable
4
A variation on planking in which a person is photographed or filmed squatting down in an unusual location. Internet, uncountable
"Planking was soon replaced by owling."

"Planking was soon replaced by owling."

Etymology 1

From owl + -ing. Smuggling of sheep is so called because it was done at night, when owls call.

Etymology 2

From owl + -ling.