caplin

[< Cdn F < F capelan codfish]

Esp. East Coast

DCHP-1 (pre-1967)

Spelling variants:
capelin, capling, capline (older)

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a small, edible marine fish, Mallotus villosus, much used as bait by cod fishermen.

1620

Iune hath Capline a fish much resembling Smeltes in form and eating. . . .

1784

The bait is small fish of all kinds: Herring, Capelin, Lance, Tom Cod. . . .

1888

The capeling is found on the coast of the Arctic Ocean and Hudson Bay, thus implying the presence of cod upon banks nearby. . . .

1964

Other fish too frequented the deep fiords . . . particularly the caplin. . . .