1826 in W. Hone (1827) II. 551 The goblin appearance of the ‘Barguest’.
1927 23 June 4/2 The moon crept up and its..beams sent little slivers of liquid silver..giving the trees..an elusive goblin appearance.
2010 D. S. MacLeod 350 Perhaps, hidden somewhere under that goblin appearance lurks the soul of a noble elf.