5–; also 5 baynstikille, (bafynstylkylle), beynstekle, banstykyll, 6–8 bansticle. [prob. repr. an OE. *bánsticels, f. bán bone + sticels prick, sting; cf. G. stachelfisch.] Name of the Three-spined Stickleback.
c. 1450. Henryson, Mor. Fab., 65. I can neither fish with huke nor net, To take ane banstickle.
1483. Cath. Angl., 17. Bafynstylkylle (v.r. Baynstikille); gamerus, asparagus.
1552. Huloet, Bansticle, trachida.
1611. Cotgr., Espinoche, banstickle, or stickleback.
1787. Best, Angling, 61. The common Prickleback, Sharpling or Banstickle.
1857. Wright, Provinc. Dict., Banstickle, the Stickleback … In Wiltshire it is called a banticle.
