\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.
{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.] (Zo["o]l.)
(a) A tropic bird.
(b) A jager, or skua gull.

\Mar"line\, v. t. [F. merliner.] (Naut.)
To wind marline around; as, to marline a rope.