noun
also mar·lin ˈmärlə̇n, ˈmȧl- ; or mar·ling -liŋ
( -s )
Etymology: marline, marlin from Dutch marlijn, by folk etymology (influence of lijn line) from marling; marling from Dutch, from marren, meren to tie, moor (from Middle Dutch maren, meren ) + -ling — more at moor
: a small usually tarred line of two strands twisted loosely left-handed that is used for seizing and as a covering for wire rope