from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Marline \Mar"line\, n. [LG. marlien, marling, or D. marling,
marlijn, fr. D. marren to tie, prob. akin to E. moor, v., and
lijn line: cf.F. merlin. See {Moor}, v., {Line}.] (Naut.)
A small line composed of two strands a little twisted, used
for winding around ropes and cables, to prevent their being
weakened by fretting.
[1913 Webster]
{Marline spike}, {Marling spike} (Naut.), an iron tool
tapering to a point, used to separate the strands of a
rope in splicing and in marling. It has an eye in the
thick end to which a lanyard is attached. See {Fid}.
[Written also {marlin spike}]
{Marline-spike bird}. [The name alludes to the long middle
tail feathers.] (Zool.)
(a) A tropic bird.
(b) A jager, or skua gull.
[1913 Webster]