The Collaborative International Dictionary
Cockling sea
Cockle \Coc"kle\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Cockled; p. pr. & vb. n. Cockling.] [Of uncertian origin.] To cause to contract into wrinkles or ridges, as some kinds of cloth after a wetting.
Cockling sea, waves dashing against each other with a short
and quick motion.
--Ham. Nav. Encyc.