What is "marling spike"

Marl \Marl\, v. t. [See Marline.] (Naut.) To cover, as part of a rope, with marline, marking a pecular hitch at each turn to prevent unwinding.

Marling spike. (Naut.) See under Marline.

Marline \Mar"line\, n. [LG. marlien, marling, or D. marling, marlijn, fr. D. marren to tie, prob. akin to E. moor, v., and lijn line: cf.F. merlin. See Moor, v., Line.] (Naut.) A small line composed of two strands a little twisted, used for winding around ropes and cables, to prevent their being weakened by fretting. Marline spike, Marling spike (Naut.), an iron tool tapering to a point, used to separate the strands of a rope in splicing and in marling. It has an eye in the thick end to which a lanyard is attached. See Fid. Marline-spike bird. [The name alludes to the long middle tail feathers.] (Zo["o]l.)

1. A tropic bird.

2. A jager, or skua gull.

n. (alternative spelling of marlinspike English)