Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Hotcockles \Hot"coc`kles\, n. [Hot + cockle, cockle being perh.
   corrupt. fr. knuckle. Cf. F. main chaude (lit., hot hand)
   hotcockles.]
   A childish play, in which one covers his eyes, and guesses
   who strikes him or his hand placed behind him.