periwinkle

²periwinkle

noun

Definition of PERIWINKLE

: any of various gastropod mollusks: as a : any of a genus (Littorina) of edible littoral marine snails; also : any of various similar or related marine snails b : any of several North American freshwater snails

Illustration of PERIWINKLE

Origin of PERIWINKLE

Middle English *periwinkle, alteration of Old English pīnewincle, from Latin pina, a kind of mussel (from Greek) + Old English -wincle (akin to Dan vincle snail shell)

First Known Use: circa 1530