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A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

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First published 1971 (DOST Vol. IV).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Marlyn(e, -ling, n. Also: -llin, -lene, -leme, merlyn, -ling, myrling. [e.m.E. marlyn(e (1485, 1558), marling (1627), and see also Marlyn(e)-cord,n., MLG. mar-, merlink, e.m.Du. marling (1593), marlijn (17th c.); perh. in origin a fusion of two distinct formations.] Marline, small line used for binding, lashing and the like. 1504–6 Treas. Acc. III. 91.
[For a ship] xij steik of merlyn weyand xxiij pund 1538 Ib. VIII. 160.
Marling 1543–4 Ib. 251.
For tows and marlyne, vj s. vj d. 1545 Ib. 389.
Ane stane of myrling to be knittellis to the chalmeris of the cutthroattis 1545–6 Ib. 359.
Marlene 1558 Ib. X. 435.
For ane stane of merling to knet the saidis trasis c 1598 Skipper's Acc. (Morton) 14 a.
For marlyne, xviii s. 1616 M. Works Acc. (ed.) II. ii.
For ane hank of merling, ij s. 1641-8 Skipper's Acc. (Smettone) 17.
Marllin 1680-1 Blackness Customs 43 b.
Tua littell bunches of ussing & marleme