Green’s Dictionary of Slang

lit. to dance about, but used as euph. for fuck v. (1); thus ferking adj.

1608		Merry Devil of Edmonton V i: ’Sfoot, if I do find knavery vnder’s cowl, I’ll tickle him, I’ll ferk him.
1611		L. Barry Ram-Alley II i: In good Decorum I had as good conuayance, And could haue ferd, and ferkt y’away a wench.
1656		Mennis & Smith ‘The Louse’s Peregrination’ Musarum Deliciae (1817) 49: At last came a Soldier, I nimbly did ferk him, / Up the greazy skirts of’s robustuous Buff Jerkin.
a.1661		‘Arsy Versy’ Rump Poems and Songs (1662) II 47: Old Oliver’s nose had taken in snuff [...] Then up went the Rump, and was ferkt to the quick, But it setled inspite of the teeth of poor Dick.
1700		‘The Country-man’s Delight’ in Playford Pills to Purge Melancholy II 122: Here’s Harry and Doll, / With Brian and bonny Betty; / Oh, how they did Jerk it, / Caper and ferk it, / Under the Green-wood tree.
c.1940		Fucking Machine in Bold (1979) 96: Two balls of brass he filled with cream, / And the whole ferking issue was driven by steam.
1952		J. Jones From Here to Eternity (1998) 359: Ah, whats the difference? They all the ferkin same.
1963		N. Dunn Up the Junction 88: I was drunk and I knocked a ferkin’ cripple off the line.