The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Scantling \Scant"ling\, a. [See Scant, a.]
   Not plentiful; small; scanty. [Obs.] --Jer. Taylor.
   [1913 Webster]

The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Scantling \Scant"ling\, n. [Cf. OF. eschantillon, F.
   ['e]chantillon, a sample, pattern, example. In some senses
   confused with scant insufficient. See Scantle, v. t.]
   1. A fragment; a bit; a little piece. Specifically:
      (a) A piece or quantity cut for a special purpose; a
          sample. [Obs.]
          [1913 Webster]

                Such as exceed not this scantling; -- to be
                solace to the sovereign and harmless to the
                people.                           --Bacon.
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                A pretty scantling of his knowledge may taken by
                his deferring to be baptized so many years.
                                                  --Milton.
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      (b) A small quantity; a little bit; not much. [Obs.]
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                Reducing them to narrow scantlings. --Jer.
                                                  Taylor.
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   2. A piece of timber sawed or cut of a small size, as for
      studs, rails, etc.
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   3. The dimensions of a piece of timber with regard to its
      breadth and thickness; hence, the measure or dimensions of
      anything.
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   4. A rough draught; a rude sketch or outline.
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   5. A frame for casks to lie upon; a trestle. --Knight.
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WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

scantling
    n 1: an upright in house framing [syn: scantling, stud]