fire-eating1
/ˈfʌɪərˌiːtɪŋ/noun
The action or practice of eating, or appearing to eat, flames (from a burning torch), burning coals, red-hot metal, etc., especially as a performance at a circus, fair, or similar entertainment.
Origin
Mid 18th century; earliest use found in The Monthly Review. From fire + eating, after fire-eater.
fire-eating2
/ˈfʌɪərˌiːtɪŋ/adjective
1That eats, or appears to eat, flames (from a burning torch), burning coals, red-hot metal, etc., especially as a performance at a circus, fair, or similar entertainment.
2Fierce, belligerent, quarrelsome.
3 US. Designating an extreme Southern partisan advocating secession from the Union. See fire-eater. Now historical.
Origin
Early 18th century. From fire + eating, after fire-eater.