Early 18th century; earliest use found in The Boston News-letter. From German regional (Low German) hüsling, hüselīn, probably alteration of hüsing, of unknown origin. The some forms show alteration by folk-etymological association with line; compare earlier marline, ratline. Compare North Frisian hüsing, hüsling (both 1837 or earlier), Swedish hyssing, †hysing (both 1541; also (now regional) hussing, (now rare) hysling, Danish hyssing, †hysing, Dutch huizing, all ultimately from Middle Low German. Compare also (with metanalysis) French lusin.