I. ˈchərn noun
Etymology: Middle English chyrne, from Old English cyrin; akin to Old Norse kjarni churn
Date: before 12th century
: a vessel for making butter in which milk or cream is agitated in order to separate the oily globules from the watery medium
II. verb
Date: 15th century
transitive verb
1. : to agitate (milk or cream) in a churn in order to make butter
2.
a. : to stir or agitate violently
an old stern-wheeler churn ing the muddy river
b. : to make (as foam) by so doing
3. : to make (the account of a client) excessively active by frequent purchases and sales primarily in order to generate commissions
intransitive verb
1. : to work a churn
2.
a. : to produce, proceed with, or experience violent motion or agitation
her stomach was churn ing
churn ing legs
b. : to proceed by or as if by means of rotating members (as wheels or propellers)
boats churn ing across the harbor