1. an attack by an animal causing serious injury: "increased incidences of grizzly bear maulings"
▪ an instance of fierce criticism: "he faces a mauling at next week's conference"
▪ a heavy defeat in a game or match: "the mauling they received from the Green Bay Packers"
▪ (in rugby union) the action of forming a loose scrum around a player with the ball off the ground:"the forwards' rucking and mauling was exceptional"
