Nathan Hale

Nathan Hale n.  An asterisk (see also {splat},
   {{ASCII}}).  Oh, you want an etymology?  Notionally, from "I
   regret that I have only one asterisk for my country!", a misquote
   of the famous remark uttered by Nathan Hale just before he was
   hanged.  Hale was a (failed) spy for the rebels in the American War
   of Independence.