Also 6 wincle, 7 winckle. Shortened f. PERIWINKLE2 (cf. wig from periwig).
1585. Higins, Junius’ Nomencl., 65/2. Cochlea,… a Wincle: a periwincle or cockle.
1601. Holland, Pliny, VIII. xxxix. I. 218. Lisards, (deadly enemies to the Snailes or Winkles above named). Ibid. (1610), Camden’s Brit. (1637), 727. Stones like unto sea winkles or cockles and other sea fish.
1615. Crooke, Body of Man, 601. It is called Concha … because it is like a Winkle or Periwinkle.
1844. Dickens, Mart. Chuz., xxi. The very winkle of your country in his shelly lair.
1899. R. Whiteing, No. 5 John St., vii. 60. A typical family … lives before the public on a nutriment of winkles and gin.
attrib. 1845. Col. Hawker, Diary (1893), II. 256. The ’winklemen were on the mud all day.
1881. Instr. Census Clerks (1885), 39. Winkle Gatherer.
1903. Times, 13 Aug., 13/2. A shilling used to be charged for a winkle license, which lasted during the winkle season.
Hence Winkler, one who gathers winkles; Winkling gerund.
1889. A. T. Pask, Eyes Thames, 58. Eel-trawlers and ‘winklers.’
1898. Punch, 20 Aug., 77/2. D’year as ’ow old Bob Osborne ’ave give up Shrimpin’ an took ter Winklin’?
