'antling' originates from English, specifically formed from 'ant' + the suffix '-ling', where '-ling' meant 'little one' or 'offspring'.

'ant' goes back to Old English 'ǣmete' (or similar forms), and the diminutive/relational suffix '-ling' comes from Old English '-ling'; these elements combined in Middle English to produce forms like 'antling' and eventually the modern word 'antling'.

Initially, it meant 'a young or small ant'; over time the basic meaning has remained the same, though the word is now rare or archaic in common usage.