Can verb-ing + noun mean something which is done?
For example, “drinking water.”
“Drinking water” means water which is drunk, not water which drinks something.
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The "verb+ing" forms a participle, which modifies the noun. The interpretation of that participle is determined by idiom. In the case of water, the participle describes the function or purpose of the water: it to be drunk.
This is not always the case! A "washing machine" is not to be washed, it is for washing clothes.
How do you know the difference? Idiom, experience and common sense. "Water" cannot drink, so "drinking water" can't be "water that drinks something". A machine can be washed, but that is not a use of a machine, so "washing machine must mean a machine that does washing.
As these are idioms they have to be learnt. You can try making your own, but you can't be sure that they will be idiomatic.