PURLING

Verb

purling

present participle of purl

Adjective

purling (comparative more purling, superlative most purling)

That purls; rippling, eddying.

Noun

purling (plural purlings)

The motion of a small stream among obstructions; flowing with a murmuring sound.

the purlings of the stream

Source: Wiktionary

Purl"ing, n. Etym: [See 3d Purl.]

Definition: The motion of a small stream running among obstructions; also, the murmur it makes in so doing.

PURL

Purl, v. t. Etym: [Contr. fr. purfile, purfle. See Purfle.]

Definition: To decorate with fringe or embroidery. "Nature's cradle more enchased and purled." B. Jonson.

Purl, n.

1. An embroidered and puckered border; a hem or fringe, often of gold or silver twist; also, a pleat or fold, as of a band. A triumphant chariot made of carnation velvet, enriched withpurl and pearl. Sir P. Sidney .

2. An inversion of stitches in knitting, which gives to the work a ribbed or waved appearance. Purl stitch. Same as Purl, n., 2.

Purl, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Purled; p. pr. & vb. n. Purling.] Etym: [Cf. Sw. porla, and E. pur to murmur as a cat.]

1. To run swiftly round, as a small stream flowing among stones or other obstructions; to eddy; also, to make a murmuring sound, as water does in running over or through obstructions. Swift o'er the rolling pebbles, down the hills, Louder and louder purl the falling rills. Pope.

2. Etym: [Perh. fr. F. perler to pearl, to bead. See Pearl, v. & n.]

Definition: To rise in circles, ripples, or undulations; to curl; to mantle. thin winding breath which purled up to the sky. Shak.

Purl, n. Etym: [See 3d Purl.]

1. A circle made by the notion of a fluid; an eddy; a ripple. Whose stream an easy breath doth seem to blow, Which on the sparkling gravel runs in purles, As though the waves had been of silver curls. Drayton.

2. A gentle murmur, as that produced by the running of a liquid among obstructions; as, the purl of a brook.

3. Etym: [Perh. from F.perler, v. See Purl to mantle.]

Definition: Malt liquor, medicated or spiced; formerly, ale or beer in which wormwood or other bitter herbs had been infused, and which was regarded as tonic; at present, hot beer mixed with gin, sugar, and spices. "Drank a glass of purl to recover appetite." Addison. "Drinking hot purl, and smoking pipes." Dickens.

4. (Zoöl.)

Definition: A tern. [Prov. Eng.]

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition