clink¹ / klingk/ • n. a sharp ringing sound, such as that made when metal or glass are struck: a clink of keys | the clink of ice in tall glasses.• v. [intr.] make such a sound: his ring clinked against the crystal | [as n.] (clinking) the clinking of glasses | [as adj.] (clinking) clinking chains. ∎  [tr.] cause (something) to make such a sound: I heard Suzie clink a piece of crockery. ∎  [tr.] strike (a glass or glasses) with another to express friendly feelings toward one's companions before drinking.clink² • n. [in sing.] inf. prison: he was put in the clink for six days.

clink 1 make a sharp metallic sound. XIV. prob. — (M)Du. klinken sound, ring, rel. to MLG., (M)Du. klank sound (Cf. CLANK), and parallel to OHG. klank (G. klang); Cf. CLANG.
Hence clink sb. XIV.

clink an informal word for prison, recorded from the early 16th century and originally denoting a particular prison in Southwark, London.

clink 2 name of a prison in Southwark; (gen.) prison. XVI. of unkn. orig.