/cherrl/ , n.
1. a rude, boorish, or surly person.
2. a peasant; rustic.
3. a niggard; miser: He was a churl in his affections.
4. Eng. Hist. a freeman of the lowest rank.
[ bef. 900; ME cherl, OE ceorl man, freeman; c. D kerel, G Kerl; akin to CARL ]