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an old woman.
a hag; witch.
Historical Examples

Then smiled the carline and said: “Yea, he is thy foster-father, and yet a fond one.”
The House of the Wolfings William Morris

“Go on, carline Dodge,” ordered the tall ghost imperturbably.
Betty Wales Senior Margaret Warde

But the carline looked him hard in the face, and again made that muttering and the passing of her hands to and fro.
The Sundering Flood William Morris

Now there were the Maiden and the carline at their house, and nought easy was the rede for them.
The Sundering Flood William Morris

“Beware suits at law,” said the carline again, and she turned to go.
The Story of Rolf and the Viking’s Bow Allen French

But however that might be, the carline and the Maiden never saw Brookside again.
The Sundering Flood William Morris

“Yes; we shan’t shrink before the carline (guillotine),” added Calabash, with savage excitement.
The Mysteries of Paris, Volume 4 of 6 Eugne Sue

Dat’s what I tole carline—leastwise dat’s what I’st gwine tell her.
A Romance of Billy-Goat Hill Alice Hegan Rice

One variety—the carline—is esteemed in some parts as a barometer, as it closes up when rain is approaching.
Storyology Benjamin Taylor

Then said the carline, “Nought will I do for thee if thou sufferest me to rule in no wise.”
The Story of Grettir The Strong Translated by Eirikr Magnusson and William Morris

noun
a Eurasian thistle-like plant, Carlina vulgaris, having spiny leaves and flower heads surrounded by raylike whitish bracts: family Asteraceae (composites) Also called carline thistle
noun
(mainly Scot) an old woman, hag, or witch
a variant of carling