1An attack by an animal causing serious injury.

1. 1.1 An instance of fierce criticism.
   he faces a mauling at next week's conference
2. 1.2informal A heavy defeat in a game or match.
   the mauling they received from the Green Bay Packers
3. 1.3 (in rugby union) the action of forming a loose scrum around a player with the ball off the ground.
   the forwards' rucking and mauling was exceptional