[ 'pə:f(ə)l ]
■ noun
1》 an ornamental border, typically one inlaid on the back or belly of a violin.
2》 archaic an ornamental or embroidered edge of a garment.
■ verb [often as noun purfling ] decorate with a ~.
Origin
ME: from OFr. porfil (n.), porfiler (v.), based on L. pro 'forward' + filum 'thread'.