toting

[ toh-ting ]

noun

, Southern U.S.

1. the practice of taking home food from an employer by a person engaged in domestic service.
2. the food so taken.

Word History and Origins

Origin of toting¹

An Americanism dating back to 1855–60; tote ¹ + -ing ¹

Example Sentences

Its customers will receive some of their money back, but are still toting up their losses.

From Los Angeles Times

“It does bother me that somebody’s out there with intentions that aren’t right,” she said, toting two white puppies outside a building where she keeps them, a few feet from her home.

From Los Angeles Times

Guards, some toting firearms or less-lethal weapons, are now a common sight at schools, bars, retail stores and other venues.

From Los Angeles Times

You can’t very well greet the actor who played Elle Woods toting luggage with a visible burn mark across the top.

From New York Times

As a group, we hiked 10 minutes up to the worksite, carrying our tools; I brought up the rear toting an aluminum ladder.

From Seattle Times