I. ˈbərl, ˈbə̄l, ˈbəil, esp bef pause or cons ˈbər.əl noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English burle, from (assumed) Middle French bourle tuft of wool (from Old French burle ), from (assumed) Vulgar Latin burrula, diminutive of Late Latin burra shaggy cloth — more at bureau
1. : a knot or lump in thread or cloth
2.
a. : a hard woody growth often of a flattened hemispherical form that occurs on the trunks or branches of trees usually in association with adventitious buds and is used to make bowls and veneers
b. : veneer made from such burls
c. : a mottled figure in the grain produced by cutting through such burls
II. transitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Middle English burlen, from burle, n.
: to finish (cloth) by inspecting and repairing usually by hand any imperfections (as loose threads and knots)
III. noun
( -s )
Etymology: probably alteration (influenced by birl ) of whirl (in the expression give it a whirl )
Australia : attempt , try
give it a burl