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.