ˈnȯ(ə)l noun
( -s )
Etymology: modification of German knäuel, knauel, literally, ball of yarn, from Middle High German kniuwel, alteration of kliuwel, diminutive of kliuwe ball of yarn, from Old High German kliuwa — more at clew
: a low spreading Old World annual weed ( Scleranthus annuus ) with inconspicuous greenish flowers that is now widely ditributed in No. America ; also : any of several other weedy plants of this genus