marl

n. [ OF. marle, F. marne, LL. margila, dim. of L. marga marl. Originally a Celtic word, according to Pliny, xvii. 7: “Quod genus terrae Galli et Britanni margam vocant.” √274. ] A mixed earthy substance, consisting of carbonate of lime, clay, and sand, in very variable proportions, and accordingly designated as calcareous, clayey, or sandy. See Greensand. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Marled p. pr. & vb. n. Marling. ] [ Cf. F. marner. See Marl, n. ] To overspread or manure with marl; as, to marl a field. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Resembling marl; partaking of the qualities of marl. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Zool.) The American great marbled godwit (Limosa fedoa). Applied also to the red-breasted godwit (Limosa haematica). [ 1913 Webster ]

2. [ from marlin spike, the shape of its bill. ] Any of several marine billfishes of the genera Makaira and Tetrapturus, popular as game in sport fishing. [ PJC ]

Hook-billed marlin, a curlew. [ 1913 Webster ]

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 ]

v. t. [ F. merliner. ] (Naut.) To wind marline around; as, to marline a rope. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Cf. F. marlite. See Marl, n. ] (Min.) A variety of marl. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Partaking of the qualites of marlite. [ 1913 Webster ]