Cockle \Coc"kle\ (k[o^]k"k'l), n. [OE. cockes cockles, AS. s[=ae]coccas sea cockles, prob, from Celtic; cf. W. cocs cockles, Gael. cochull husk. Perh. influenced by F. coquille shell, a dim. from the root of E. conch. Cf. {Coach}.] 1. (Zo["o]l.) A bivalve mollusk, with radiating ribs, of the genus {Cardium}, especially {Cardium edule}, used in Europe for food; -- sometimes applied to similar shells of other genera.
2. A cockleshell.
3. The mineral black tourmaline or schorl; -- so called by the Cornish miners. --Raymond.
4. The fire chamber of a furnace. [Eng.] --Knight.
5. A hop-drying kiln; an oast. --Knight.
6. The dome of a heating furnace. --Knight.
{Cockle hat}, a hat ornamented with a cockleshell, the badge of a pilgrim. --Shak.
{Cockle stairs}, winding or spiral stairs.
Cockle \Coc"kle\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Cockled}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Cockling}.] [Of uncertian origin.] To cause to contract into wrinkles or ridges, as some kinds of cloth after a wetting.
{Cockling sea}, waves dashing against each other with a short and quick motion. --Ham. Nav. Encyc.
Cockle \Coc"kle\, n. [AS. coccel, cocel; cf. Gael. cogall tares, husks, cockle.] (Bot.) (a) A plant or weed that grows among grain; the corn rose ({Luchnis Githage}). (b) The {Lotium}, or darnel.
The Council has not followed up these recommendations. ASSERTION: Britain's Essex coast will face an invasion of cockle fishing boats this year. FACT: On January 1, existing UK public health requirements on molluscs were replaced by new EC requirements.