Definition of "codling"

“Here a couple of old men in whiskers and spectacles leant over us, making strange sounds. Some codling had got caught in the net the same time as we were. These the old men threw back into the sea; but us they seemed to think very precious. …”

1922, Hugh Lofting, The Voyages of Doctor Dolittle, part 4, chapter 2, The Fidgit's Story

Malvolio: Not yet old enough for a man, nor yong enoughfor a boy: as a squash is before tis a pescod, or a Codlingwhen tis almost an Apple: Tis with him in standing water,betweene boy and man. He is verie well-fauour'd,and he speakes verie shrewishly: One would thinke hismothers milke were scarse out of him

c. 1601–1602 (date written), William Shakespeare, “Twelfe Night, or What You Will”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, [Act I, scene v]

To make Codling Cream.Take twenty fair codlings, core them, beat them in a mortar with a pint of cream, strain it into a dish, put into it some crumbs of brown bread, with a little-sack, and dish it up.

1800, Hannah Glasse, Maria Wilson, “The Complete Confectioner”, in Creams, &c.‎