n. [ Prob. from E. barnacle a kind of goose, which was popularly supposed to grow from this shellfish; but perh. from LL. bernacula for pernacula, dim. of perna ham, sea mussel; cf. Gr.
Barnacle eater (Zool.),
Barnacle scale (Zool.),
n. [ See Bernicle. ] A bernicle goose. [ 1913 Webster ]
n. [ OE. bernak, bernacle; cf. OF. bernac, and Prov. F. (Berri) berniques, spectacles. ]
The barnacles . . . give pain almost equal to that of the switch. Youatt. [ 1913 Webster ]
adj.