Merriam-Webster's Collegiate® Dictionary, 11th Edition
SLING
I. transitive verb (slung; slinging)
Etymology: Middle English, probably from Old Norse slyngva to hurl; akin to Old English & Old High German slingan to worm, twist, Lithuanian slinkti
Date: 14th century
to cast with a sudden and usually sweeping or swirling motion , to throw with or as if with a sling , to serve (food) to a customer , see: throw slinger noun
II. noun
Date: 14th century
1. an instrument for throwing stones that usually consists of a short strap with strings fastened to its ends and is whirled round to discharge its missile by centrifugal force, slingshot 1,
2. a usually looped line (as of strap, chain, or rope) used to hoist, lower, or carry something, a chain or rope attached to a lower yard at the middle and passing around a mast near the masthead to support a yard, a chain hooked at the bow and stern of a boat for lowering or hoisting, a device (as a rope net) for enclosing material to be hoisted by a tackle or crane, a slinging or hurling of or as if of a missile,
III. transitive verb (slung; slinging)
Date: 1522
to place in a sling for hoisting or lowering, to suspend by or as if by a sling,
IV. noun
Etymology: origin unknown
Date: 1768
an alcoholic drink that is served hot or cold and that usually consists of liquor, sugar, lemon juice, and plain or carbonated water