(kär′lin) adjective
Of or pertaining to a genus (Carlina) of thistles.
—noun A plant of the genus Carlina. [? after Charlemagne, whose soldiers were supposedly cured of a plague with it]

(kär′lin) noun
1. Naut. A short fore–and–aft timber connecting the beams on which the deck of a vessel is laid.
2. One of the cross-pieces supporting the roof boards of a railway car; rafter. Also car′ling (-ling). [Cf. F carlingue]