Definition of "marline" in English

noun

1. A light all-purpose cord commonly used to bind the end of a larger rope, to prevent fraying.

   • 1749 (Sunday 26th May), John Newton's journal A young man, who has been the whole voyage out of irons, first on account of a large ulcer, and since for his seeming good behaviour, gave them a large marline spike down the gratings, but was happily seen by one of the people.

2. Twine used similarly.

verb

1. (nautical) To wind marline around.

   • to marline a rope