cockling sea

from The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

Cockle \Coc"kle\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Cockled}; p. pr. & vb. n.
   {Cockling}.] [Of uncertian origin.]
   To cause to contract into wrinkles or ridges, as some kinds
   of cloth after a wetting.
   [1913 Webster]

   {Cockling sea}, waves dashing against each other with a short
      and quick motion. --Ham. Nav. Encyc.
      [1913 Webster]