Also cranckle. [Frequentative of CRANK v.1; in use from c. 1600, but app. never very common. Cf. CRINKLE.]
1. intr. To bend in and out, to wind, twist; ‘to run in flexures and windings’ (J.); to run zig-zag.
1598. Florio, Serpicolato, turning, winding, crankling in and out like a serpent.
1611. Cotgr., Serpeger, to wind, or crankle in and out … to goe wauing &c. like a serpent.
1834. Sir H. Taylor, Artevelde, II. IV. iv. The river crankles round an alder grove.
1835. M. Scott, Cruise Midge, xiv. The forked lightning crankled out every now and then clear and bright.
1851. S. Judd, Margaret, xvii. (1871), 149. Some went crankling and sheering, some described somersets.
† 2. trans. To bend sinuously, to zig-zag; to crinkle (a surface). Hence Crankled ppl. a.
1594. Nashe, Unfort. Trav., 58. Writhings, and crankled wanderings.
1700. J. Brome, Trav. Eng., iii. (1707), 297. Stones … somewhat roundish … streaked and crankled like a Cockle-shell.
1708. J. Philips, Cyder, I. 14. Old Vaga’s stream … her wonted Track Forsook, and drew her humid Train aslope, Crankling her Banks.
