Definition of "swapling"

A fire was kept burning in front of this and swaplings were kept inside to "poke away" the wild animals, including bears (as Grandma recalled being told).

1993, Huntington County, Indiana: History & Families, 1834-1993 - Page 330

The parents of the human girl child would scream when they found the swapling, cry out even louder than they were doing right now, and wail, and call for the queen's guard, and kneel in their churches, […]

2011, Christopher Golden, The Monster's Corner