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.
© Webster 1913.