? Obs. [var. of SPIRLING.] The smelt or spirling, Osmerus eperlanus. Also attrib.

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a. 1471.  in N. F. Hele, Aldeburgh (1870), vi. 65. Every boat … going to fishing for sperling in spurling tyme.

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1566.  Gascoigne, Supposes, II. iv. A pennieworth of cheese, and halfe a score spurlings.

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1573.  Tusser, Husb. (1878), 28. All Saints doe laie … for sprats and spurlings for their house.

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1601.  Chester, Love’s Mart. (1878), 100. Here swimmes the Shad, the Spitfish, and the Spurling.

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1655.  Moufet & Bennet, Health’s Improv., 169. Spurlings are but broad Sprats, taken chiefly upon our Northern coast.

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1844.  Peter Parley’s Ann., V. 123. The little smelts or spurlings run up the softened rivers to spawn.

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