Merriam-Webster's Collegiate® Dictionary, 11th Edition
STING
I. verb (stung; stinging)
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English stingan; akin to Old Norse stinga to sting and probably to Greek stachys spike of grain, stochos target, aim Date: before 12th century transitive verb to prick painfully: as, to pierce or wound with a poisonous or irritating process, to affect with sharp quick pain or smart , to cause to suffer acutely , overcharge , cheat , intransitive verb to wound one with or as if with a sting, to feel a keen burning pain or smart, stingingly adverb
II. noun Date: before 12th century
1. the act of stinging, a wound or pain caused by or as if by stinging, stinger 2, a sharp or stinging element, force, or quality, an elaborate confidence game