/kəˈrəNGkəl/ /ˈkarˌəNG-/
Noun, pl. caruncles
(Botany)
1. An elaiosome (fleshy structure attached to the seed), especially in the plant family Euphorbiaceae. (wikipedia.org)
2. A similar excrescence near the hilum of some seeds. (wiktionary.org)
3. Any outgrowth from a seed near the micropyle, attractive to ants that aid the seed’s dispersal. (wiktionary.org)
(Zoology)
4. Prostomium, the sensory organ of Annelid worms; the wattle (anatomy), cockscomb, or snood of some birds. (wikipedia.org)
(Human anatomy)
5. Sublingual caruncle, an area on the tongue; a small, red portion of the corner of the eye that contains modified sebaceous and sweat glands; various small fleshy excrescences (normal or abnormal outgrowths). (wikipedia.org)
6. The red prominence at the inner corner of the eye. (Google Dictionary)
Word origin: Latin caruncula (“wart”); diminutive of Latin caro = flesh, hence, a small fleshy elevation.