winkle
UK: ˈwɪŋk(ə)l | US: ˈwɪŋkəl
n. a small edible sea snail with a spiral shell, commonly found on rocky shores.
vt. to extract or obtain something with difficulty (chiefly British informal usage).
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"Winkle" originates from Old English wincel, meaning "a corner" or "a nook," likely referencing the snail's spiral shell shape. The verb sense ("to extract") emerged in British slang (19th century), metaphorically comparing the effort of prying out a snail to extracting information or objects.
Children love collecting winkles from the tide pools.
She managed to winkle the secret out of him after hours of questioning.
The recipe calls for fresh winkles steamed in garlic butter.
He winkled his keys from the cluttered drawer.
Coastal markets often sell boiled winkles as a snack.