burl

(bʉrl)

noun

  1. a knot in wool, thread, yarn, etc. that gives a nubby appearance to cloth
  2. a kind of knot on some tree trunks or woody roots
  3. veneer made from wood with burls in it

Origin: ME burle < OFr bourle, flocks or ends of threads < VL *burrula, small flock of wool < LL burra, wool

adjective

having a finish or veneer of or like burl

transitive verb

to finish (cloth) by taking out the burls, loose threads, etc.

Related Forms:

See burl in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun
  1. A knot, lump, or slub in yarn or cloth.
  2. a. A large rounded outgrowth on the trunk or branch of a tree.
    b. The wood cut from such an outgrowth, often used decoratively as a veneer.
transitive verb burled burled, burl·ing, burls
To dress or finish (cloth) by removing knots, lumps, slubs, or loose threads.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English burle

Origin: , from Old French bourle, tuft of wool

Origin: , diminutive of bourre, coarse wool

Origin: , from Late Latin burra, shaggy garment

.

Related Forms:

  • burlˈer noun

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