'To lick into shape' definitions:

Definition of 'To lick into shape'

From: GCIDE

Lick \Lick\ (l[i^]k), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Licked (l[i^]kt); p. pr. & vb. n. Licking.] [AS. liccian; akin to OS. likk[=o]n, D. likken, OHG. lecch[=o]n, G. lecken, Goth. bi-laig[=o]n, Russ. lizate, L. lingere, Gr. lei`chein, Skr. lih, rih. [root]121. Cf. Lecher, Relish.]
1. To draw or pass the tongue over; as, a dog licks his master's hand. --Addison. [1913 Webster]
2. To lap; to take in with the tongue; as, a dog or cat licks milk. --Shak. [1913 Webster]
To lick the dust, to be slain; to fall in battle. "His enemies shall lick the dust." --Ps. lxxii. 9.
To lick into shape, to give proper form to; -- from a notion that the bear's cubs are born shapeless and subsequently formed by licking. --Hudibras.
To lick the spittle of, to fawn upon. --South.
To lick up, to take all of by licking; to devour; to consume entirely. --Shak. --Num. xxii. 4. [1913 Webster]