Entry 2 senses · 2 variants Webster, 1913 Cowrie /(-ry̆)/ · Cow·rie · IPA /ˈkaʊ.ɹi/ n. n. 01 n. Same as Kauri. 1. Same as Kauri.(Bot.) See: Kauri 02 n. A marine shell of the genus Cypræa. pl. Cowries ((-rĭz)) 1. A marine shell of the genus Cypræa.(Zool.)