Merriam-Webster's Collegiate® Dictionary, 11th Edition
BEG
I. verb (begged; begging)
Etymology: Middle English beggen
Date: 13th century
transitive verb to ask for as a charity,
2. to ask earnestly for ; entreat , to require as necessary or appropriate, evade , sidestep , intransitive verb to ask for alms, to ask earnestly , Synonyms: see: beg
II. abbreviation begin; beginning