Begging the question is the logical error of assuming that which you are seeking to prove.
Yes, that's how I've always understood it, and that's its original and first meaning.
But as GardenerForLife pointed out later ($47), the phrase has been misapplied to mean "suggesting the question" so often in modern usage, that even Merriam-Webster has thrown in the towel and allowed the "incorrect" usage as a legit alternate.
So I guess I'll broaden my horizon and accept that the definition has changed to be more "inclusive".
It still sets my teeth on edge to read it or hear it, but now that's my problem. :-)
Thanks to GardenerForLife for the update in #47, although on careful reading, the WFB quote does in fact use the phrase in its original "logical fallacy" sense.