Headling definition

From Middle English hedling, heedling, hevedlynge (“headlong”), equivalent to head +‎ -ling; and with adverbial genitive -s, -es, hedlinges, hedlynges, equivalent to headling +‎ -s. Cognate with Scots heidlingis (“headlong”), Middle High German houbetlingen (“headlong”).

From Middle English hedling, hevedling, from Old English hēafodling (“an equal, fellow-servant”), equivalent to head +‎ -ling. Cognate with German Häuptling (“chief, chieftain”).