\Bant"ling\, n. [Prob. for bandling, from band, and
meaning a child wrapped in swaddling bands; or cf. G.
b["a]ntling a bastard, fr. bank bench. Cf. {Bastard}, n.]
A young or small child; an infant. [Slightly contemptuous or
depreciatory.]
      In what out of the way corners genius produces her
      bantlings.                               --W. Irving.