Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

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 {C. 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.