%cringle%

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]