and i thought it was from the 'crumbs' they leave behind in your computer..

Actually, the word cookie is used for other things besides food, there are joiner that use "biscuts", and a "cookie" has been used to define a cardboard or plactic thingy you insert in a machine.

long, long ago, sewing machines had removeable, interchangealbe "cams" for creating special zig-zag stiches. these cams where also called plastic cookies.

the cam (cookie) stored information (the stitch!) electronic cookies store information too.

maybe one of the guys out there can think of an other specific machine that uses a cookie.