Definition of "nipping"

Being, however, satisfied as to the position, I withdrew my hand, the pains still growing less frequent and weaker, but she lamented greatly the nippings and pinchings in her belly, which rather increased as the true labour pains decreased.

1789, Memoirs of the Medical Society of London

Elephants may seem clumsy, but they not only are highly sophisticated in courtship, with large repertoires of provocative gestures, proddings, nippings and subtle erotic teasings with the trunk, but sometimes they complete actual copulation within 18 seconds.

1999, Guy Murchie, The Seven Mysteries of Life