† ˈshaftling Obs.
[Perh. f. shaft n.2 + -ling, with allusion to the shape. Cf. shafflin.]
The stickleback.
| 1558 Gesner's Hist. Anim. IV. 896 De Pungitio... Angli Scharplyng uel Shaftlyng nominant. 1572 Huloet (ed. Higins), Shaftling, sharplinge, stickling, sticklebanke, or banstickle, aculeatus pisciculus, Pungitius, Centriscus. 1598 Florio, Spinaruólo, a sharpling, or shaftlin fish [1611 shaftin-fish]. |