suck·ling I. \ˈsəkliŋ, -lēŋ\noun (-s) Etymology: Middle English sokeling, from soken to suck + -ling — more at suck : a young child or animal before it is weaned II. noun (-s) Etymology: Middle English sokeling, from sokel suckle + -ing 1.alsosuckling clover: hop clover 2.: a tall-growing European honeysuckle (Lonicera periclymenum) sometimes cultivated for its richly fragrant flowers