ding-dong, v. — Green’s Dictionary of Slang

ding-dong v.

[? the ringing of house bells prior to asking for money]

(US tramp) to beg door to door.

1926		J. Black You Can’t Win (2000) 171: The beggar bewailed his misfortune in losing his leg and having to ‘dingdong’ his way about the country for a few ‘lousy dimes’.
1929		A.J. Barr Let Tomorrow Come 40: I start ding-dongin’ an’ collect a few dimes.