/sterr"lit/ , n.
a small sturgeon, Acipenser ruthenus, of the Black and Caspian seas, valued as a source of caviar.
[ 1585-95; stérlyad', ORuss sterlyagi (pl.) Störling a small sturgeon, equiv. to Stör sturgeon (MHG stör ( e ), stür ( e ), OHG stur ( i ) o; cf. STURGEON) + -ling -LING 1 ]