yoking

Verb

yoke (third-person singular simple present yokes, present participle yoking, simple past and past participle yoked)

1. (transitive) To join (several draught animals) together with a yoke; also, to fasten a yoke (on one or more draught animals) to pull a cart, plough, etc.; or to attach (a cart, plough, etc.) to a draught animal.
   • Bubulcus, […] An oxeheard, or coweheard: a driuer of oxen and kine: he that yoketh oxen, and […] goeth to plowe with them.1585, Adrianus Iunius [i.e., Hadrianus Junius], “Bubulcus”, in Iohn Higins [i.e., John Higgins], transl., The Nomenclator, or Remembrancer of Adrianus Iunius Physician, […], Conteining Proper Names...
2. (transitive) To put (one's arm or arms) around someone's neck, waist, etc.; also, to surround (someone's neck, waist, etc.) with one's arms.
3. (transitive) To put (something) around someone's neck like a yoke; also, to surround (someone's neck) with something.
4. (historical, transitive) To place a collar on the neck of (a conquered person or prisoner) to restrain movement.
5. (historical, transitive) To place a frame on the neck of (an animal such as a cow, pig, or goose) to prevent passage through a fence or other barrier.
6. (figuratively, transitive) To bring (two or more people or things) into a close relationship (often one that is undesired); to connect, to link, to unite.
   • Ranchers were yoked together with farmers on the issue.

See all 38 meanings of yoke