Obs. exc. dial. Also 4–5 colke, 5 coke, 6 couk, 9 dial. coak, coke, cowk. [app. a northern Eng. word: of uncertain origin. In form it agrees with OFris. kolk hole, hollow, eye-hole, WFris. kolcke, NFris. kolok, EFris. kolk hole or deep place in the ground filled with water, MLG. and LG. kolk, kulk, MDu. kolck, Du. kolk hole, abyss, whirlpool, gulf; but the connection of sense is by no means established.]

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  a.  The core of an apple or similar fruit. b. The core of a horn, heart of wood, or the like.

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c. 1340.  Richard Rolle of Hampole, Prick of Conscience, 6445. Alle erthe … may likend be Til a rounde appel … Þat even in myddes has a colke, And swa it may be tille an egge yholke.

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c. 1460.  Towneley Myst., 281. An appylle … fulle roten inwardly At the colke within.

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1483.  Cath. Angl., 71. A Colke, erula, (interior pars pomi).

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c. 1488.  Anc. Cookery, in Househ. Ord. (1790), 452. Take … gode appuls, and pyke oute the cokes of hom.

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1570.  Levins, Manip., 217/45. Ye Couk of an opple, cor.

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1781.  J. Hutton, Tour to the Caves, Gloss. (E. D. S.), Coak, the heart or pith of wood, horns, &c.

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1869.  R. B. Peacock, Lonsdale Gloss. (Philol. Soc.), Coke, (1) the core of an apple. (2) The interior or core-part of a horn, the pith of wood, etc.

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1888.  Sheffield Gloss., Colke, the core of an apple, &c.

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