Definition of Earwigging:

part of speech: noun

The gaining of confidence and good graces by whispered and covert statements about others.

Usage examples:

• This negative result horrifies the burghers, and the General, leaving the table, is besieged by earwigging notables imploring him to arrest the two tribunes. George Young in "The New Germany".

• Yet he never made an effort to combat it, partly I think from pride, for he hated everything that savoured of earwigging he was not going to put constraint upon himself that his following might be more enthusiastic. Stephen Gwynn in "John Redmond's Last Years".