mismothering

English

Etymology

mis- +‎ mothering

Verb

mismothering

1. present participle and gerund of mismother

Noun

mismothering (uncountable)

1. Failure of an animal to take maternal care of its young, and/or stealing another's offspring to mother it.

   Mismothering may occur among sheep when a lamb has been separated from the flock and returned.