\Purl\, v. t. [Contr. fr. purfile, purfle. See {Purfle}.]
To decorate with fringe or embroidery. ``Nature's cradle more
enchased and purled.'' --B. Jonson.

\Purl\, n.
1. An embroidered and puckered border; a hem or fringe, often
   of gold or silver twist; also, a pleat or fold, as of a
   band.
         A triumphant chariot made of carnation velvet,
         enriched withpurl and pearl.          --Sir P.
                                               Sidney.
2. An inversion of stitches in knitting, which gives to the
   work a ribbed or waved appearance.
{Purl stitch}. Same as {Purl}, n., 2.

\Purl\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Purled}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Purling}.] [Cf. Sw. porla, and E. pur to murmur as a cat.]
1. To run swiftly round, as a small stream flowing among
   stones or other obstructions; to eddy; also, to make a
   murmuring sound, as water does in running over or through
   obstructions.
         Swift o'er the rolling pebbles, down the hills,
         Louder and louder purl the falling rills. --Pope.
2. [Perh. fr. F. perler to pearl, to bead. See {Pearl}, v. &
   n.] To rise in circles, ripples, or undulations; to curl;
   to mantle.
         thin winding breath which purled up to the sky.
                                               --Shak.

\Purl\, n. [See 3d {Purl}.]
1. A circle made by the notion of a fluid; an eddy; a ripple.
         Whose stream an easy breath doth seem to blow, Which
         on the sparkling gravel runs in purles, As though
         the waves had been of silver curls.   --Drayton.
2. A gentle murmur, as that produced by the running of a
   liquid among obstructions; as, the purl of a brook.
3. [Perh. from F. perler, v. See {Purl} to mantle.] Malt
   liquor, medicated or spiced; formerly, ale or beer in
   which wormwood or other bitter herbs had been infused, and
   which was regarded as tonic; at present, hot beer mixed
   with gin, sugar, and spices. ``Drank a glass of purl to
   recover appetite.'' --Addison. ``Drinking hot purl, and
   smoking pipes.'' --Dickens.
4. (Zo["o]l.) A tern. [Prov. Eng.]