whelk Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun large marine snail much used as food in Europe
  2. noun large carnivorous marine gastropods of coastal waters and intertidal regions having a strong snail-like shell
  3. verb gather whelk

WordNet

Whelk noun
Etymology
OE. welk, wilk, AS. weoloc, weloc, wiloc. Cf. Whilk, and Wilk.
Definitions
  1. (Zoöl.) Any one numerous species of large marine gastropods belonging to Buccinum and allied genera; especially, Buccinum undatum, common on the coasts both of Europe and North America, and much used as food in Europe.
Whelk noun
Etymology
OE. whelke, dim. of whele. See Wheal a pustule.
Definitions
  1. A papule; a pustule; acne. "His whelks white." Chaucer.
  2. A stripe or mark; a ridge; a wale.

Webster 1913