whelk1

[hwelk, welk] /ʰwɛlk, wɛlk/
noun
1.
any of several large, spiral-shelled, marine gastropods of the family Buccinidae, especially Buccinum undatum, that is used for food in Europe.
Origin
before 900; late Middle English, aspirated variant of Middle English welk, Old English weoloc

whelk2

[hwelk, welk] /ʰwɛlk, wɛlk/
noun
1.
a pimple or pustule.
Origin
before 1000; Middle English whelke, Old English hwylca, hwelca; akin to wheal
Examples from the web for whelk
  • He shouldn't be in charge of a whelk stall never mind the future of the country.
  • The knobbed whelk shell is commonly known as the conch shell.
  • For example, there are several different color dog whelk shells and ochre sea stars.
  • The whelk pries the clam open with its muscular foot, wedges the clam open with its shell, then eats the soft inside of the clam.
  • For example, anyone who harvests whelks must obtain a commercial fishing license with a whelk permit attached to it.
  • Comb the beach for sea stars, keyhole urchins and whelk shells.
British Dictionary definitions for whelk

whelk1

/wɛlk/
noun
1.
any carnivorous marine gastropod mollusc of the family Buccinidae, of coastal waters and intertidal regions, having a strong snail-like shell
Word Origin
Old English weoloc; related to Middle Dutch willok, Old Norse vil entrails

whelk2

/wɛlk/
noun
1.
a raised lesion on the skin; wheal
Derived Forms
whelky, adjective
Word Origin
Old English hwylca, of obscure origin
Word Origin and History for whelk
n.

large marine snail, Old English weoloc, wioloc, from Proto-Germanic *weluka- (cf. Middle Dutch willoc, Dutch wulk), perhaps from PIE root *wel- "to turn, revolve" (see volvox; cf. also volute). The spelling with wh- dates from 15c.

whelk in Medicine

whelk (wělk)
n.
An inflamed swelling, such as a pimple or pustule.