bearhug

bearhug (plural bearhugs)

1. Alternative spelling of bear hug

bearhug (third-person singular simple present bearhugs, present participle bearhugging, simple past and past participle bearhugged)

1. (transitive) To embrace in a bear hug.
   • 2008 January 15, Harvey Araton, “In Big Ways and Small, the Giants Grew Into a Team”, in New York Times‎:

     All around the Giants are signs and symbols of change and progression, from the once-isolated head coach, who was spotted Sunday night triumphantly bearhugging a player, to the acutely boyish quarterback, who stepped to the podium wearing the flattering look of whiskered grunge.

• Baugher