As a possible source of the single transverse-spin asymmetry, we study the contribution from purely gluonic correlation represented by the twist-3 "three-gluon correlation" functions in the transversely polarized nucleon. We first define a complete set of the relevant three-gluon correlation functions, and then derive its contribution to the twist-3 single-spin-dependent cross section for the D-meson production in semi-inclusive deep inelastic scattering, which is relevant to determine the three-gluon correlations. Our cross-section formula differs from the corresponding result in the literature, and the origin of the discrepancy is clarified. © 2010 The American Physical Society.