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winkle

(Science: zoology) Any periwinkle.

Any one of various marine spiral gastropods, especially, in the united states, either of two species of Fulgar (F. Canaliculata, and F. Carica).

These are large mollusks which often destroy large numbers of oysters by drilling their shells and sucking their blood. Sting winkle, a European spinose marine shell (murex erinaceus).

Origin: AS. Wincle.