Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Whelk \Whelk\, n. [OE. welk, wilk, AS. weoloc, weloc, wiloc. Cf.
   {Whilk}, and {Wilk}.] (Zo["o]l.)
   Any one numerous species of large marine gastropods belonging
   to {Buccinum} and allied genera; especially, {Buccinum
   undatum}, common on the coasts both of Europe and North
   America, and much used as food in Europe.

   {Whelk tingle}, a dog whelk. See under {Dog}.

Whelk \Whelk\, n. [OE. whelke, dim. of whele. See {Wheal} a
   pustule.]
   1. A papule; a pustule; acne. ``His whelks white.''
      --Chaucer.

   2. A stripe or mark; a ridge; a wale.

   {Chin whelk} (Med.), sycosis.

   {Rosy whelk} (Med.), grog blossom.

Source : WordNet®

whelk
     n 1: large marine snail much used as food in Europe
     2: large carnivorous marine gastropods of coastal waters and
        intertidal regions having a strong snail-like shell
     v : gather whelk