crin·kle / ˈkringkəl/ • v. [intr.] form small creases or wrinkles in the surface of something, esp. the skin of the face as the result of a facial expression. ∎  [tr.] cause to form such creases or wrinkles: Burney crinkled his eyes in a smile. ∎  [tr.] cause (something) to make a crackling or rustling sound: we tried hard not to crinkle the plastic as we unwrapped the pies.• n. a wrinkle or crease found on the surface of something. ∎  the sound of crinkling.DERIVATIVES: crin·kly / -k(ə)lē/ adj.

crinkle XVII (in pp. krynkeled, crenkled). frequent. f. base of OE. crinċan yield, orig. weaken, CRINGE; see -LE 2.