Bant"ling (&?;), n. [Prob. for bandling, from band, and meaning a child wrapped in swaddling bands; or cf. G. bäntling a bastard, fr. bank bench. Cf. Bastard, n.] A young or small child; an infant. [Slightly contemptuous or depreciatory.]

In what out of the way corners genius produces her bantlings.
W. Irving.

• (vulgar) A young child.