Obs. [Has the form and sense of a diminutive or iterative of COCK v.5, or of COCK sb.1: cf. fondle, etc., and see COCKER v.1 But cf. 16th c. Du. kokelen, keukelen ‘to nourish or cherish in the kitchen’ (Kilian).] = COCKER v.1
1570. Levins, Manip., 159/20. To cockle, cherish, indulgere.
1579. Twyne, Phisicke agst. Fortune, II. xliii. 218 b. The hardnesse of a father is many tymes profitable for the sonne: cocklyng is alwayes to be condemned. See also COTCHELL.
