CRINGLE. A short piece of rope worked grommet fashion into the bolt-rope of a sail, and containing a metal ring or thimble. The use of the cringle is generally to hold the end of some rope, which is fastened thereto for the purpose of drawing up the sail to its yard, or extending the skirts or leech by means of bowline bridles, to stand upon a side-wind. The word seems to be derived from the old English crencled, or circularly formed. Cringles should be made of the strands of new bolt-rope. Those for the reef and reef-tackle pendant are stuck through holes made in the tablings.
CRINKYL. The cringle or loop in the leech of a sail.
CRIPPLE, To. To disable an enemy's ship by wounding his masts, yards, and steerage gear, thereby placing him hors de combat.
CRISS-CROSS. The mark of a man who cannot write his name.
CROAKER. A tropical fish which makes a cris-cris noise.
CROAKY. A term applied to plank when it curves much in short lengths.
CROCHERT. A hagbut or hand cannon, anciently in use.
CROCK [Anglo-Saxon, croca]. An earthen mess-vessel, and the usual vegetables were called crock-herbs. In the Faerie Queene Spenser cites the utensil:—
"Therefore the vulgar did aboute him flocke,
Like foolish flies about an honey-crocke."
CROCODILES. A designation for those who served in Egypt under Lord Keith.