The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Sooterkin \Soot"er*kin\, n. [Cf. Prov. G. suttern to boil
   gently.]
   A kind of false birth, fabled to be produced by Dutch women
   from sitting over their stoves; also, an abortion, in a
   figurative sense; an abortive scheme.
   [1913 Webster]

         Fruits of dull heat, and sooterkins of wit. --Pope.
   [1913 Webster]