Coc″kle (kŏk″k'l), n. [OE. cockes cockles, AS. sǣcoccas 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. (Zoöl.) 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. 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.