cringle

UK: /ˈkrɪŋɡ^əl/ US: (kring′gəl)

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

crin•gle  (kring′gəl), n. [Naut.]

1. an eye or grommet formed on the boltrope of a sail to permit the attachment of lines.

• Low German kringel, equivalent. to kring circle + -el diminutive suffix; cognate with Middle English Cringle (in place-names), Old Norse kringla circle
• 1620–30

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

cringle / ˈkrɪŋɡ^əl/ noun

1. an eye at the edge of a sail, usually formed from a thimble or grommet

Etymology: 17th Century: from Low German Kringel small ring¹; see crank¹, crinkle