The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Northern \North"ern\, a. [AS. nor[eth]erne.]
   1. Of or pertaining to the north; being in the north, or
      nearer to that point than to the east or west.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. In a direction toward the north; as, to steer a northern
      course; coming from the north; as, a northern wind.
      [1913 Webster]

   Northern diver. (Zool.) See Loon.

   Northern lights. See Aurora borealis, under Aurora.

   Northern spy (Bot.), an excellent American apple, of a
      yellowish color, marked with red.
      [1913 Webster]

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

Northern Spy
    n 1: large late-ripening apple with skin striped with yellow and
         red