The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Stocking \Stock"ing\, n. [From Stock, which was formerly used
   of a covering for the legs and feet, combining breeches, or
   upper stocks, and stockings, or nether stocks.]
   1. A close-fitting covering for the foot and leg, usually
      knit or woven.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. Any of various things resembling, or likened to, a
      stocking[1]; as:
      (a) A broad ring of color, differing from the general
          color, on the lower part of the leg of a quadruped;
          esp., a white ring between the coronet and the hock or
          knee of a dark-colored horse.
      (b) A knitted hood of cotton thread which is eventually
          converted by a special process into an incandescent
          mantle for gas lighting.
          [Webster 1913 Suppl.]

   Blue stocking. See Bluestocking.

   Stocking frame, a machine for knitting stockings or other
      hosiery goods.
      [1913 Webster]