Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Cringle \Crin"gle\ (kr?n"g'l), n. [Icel. kringla orb; akin to
   kring around, and to D. kring circle, and to E. cringe,
   crank.]
   1. A withe for fastening a gate.

   2. (Naut.) An iron or pope thimble or grommet worked into or
      attached to the edges and corners of a sail; -- usually in
      the plural. The cringles are used for making fast the
      bowline bridles, earings, etc.

Source : WordNet®

cringle
     n : fastener consisting of a metal ring for lining a small hole
         to permit the attachment of cords or lines [syn: {eyelet},
          {loop}, {grommet}, {grummet}]