1. A mop made of rags, used for cleaning ovens or other dirty surfaces
   "The cook used a malkin to clean the soot from the fireplace"
    
2. A scarecrow or grotesque effigy
   "The farmer's malkin kept birds away from the newly sown field"
    
3. Originally, a kitchen maid; later, a slatternly woman
   "The malkin's unkempt appearance drew disapproving looks"

Derived forms: malkins

Encyclopedia: Malkin, Joseph