[1] : The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

cowrie \cow"rie\ cowry \cow"ry\kou"ry^, n.; pl. cowries
   -ri^z. hind. kaurimac. zool.
   a marine shell of the genus cypraea.
   1913 webster

   note: there are numerous species, many of them ornamental.
         formerly cypraea moneta and several other species
         were largely used as money in africa and some other
         countries, and they are still so used to some extent.
         the value is always trifling, and varies at different
         places.
         1913 webster
see also:
cowries cypraea cypraea moneta 

Cowries >> C Words
Cowries, definition of term: Cowries
cowries_pag1.html