*marline*

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 ]