intransitive verb

1. to move in ripples or with a murmuring sound
2. to move in eddies; swirl

Etymology: < ? Scand, as in Norw purla, to ripple

noun

1. a purling stream or rill
2. the murmuring sound of purling water

transitive verb, intransitive verb

1. purfle
2. to edge (lace) with a chain of small loops
3. to form (one or more inverted stitches) in knitting

Etymology: earlier pirl, prob. < the n.

noun

1. twisted metal thread, as of gold or silver, used in embroidery
2. a small loop, or a chain of loops, made on the edge of lace
3. an inversion of stitches in knitting to produce a more varied texture
   also purling purl′·ing

Etymology: earlier pyrle < a Romance source as in It (Venetian) pirlo, a joining of warp and woof by twisting together the threads < echoic base *pirl, to twirl