fledgling

 
Pronunciation: /ˈflɛdʒlɪŋ/
(also fledgeling)

noun

  • a young bird that has just fledged.
  • [usually as modifier] a person or organization that is immature, inexperienced, or underdeveloped: the country’s fledgling democracy

Origin:

mid 19th century: from the obsolete adjective fledge (see fledge), on the pattern of nestling

Spelling help

Fledgling can also be spelled fledgeling: both are correct.