Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Whirl \Whirl\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Whirled}; p. pr. & vb. n.
   {Whirling}.] [OE. whirlen, probably from the Scand.; cf.
   Icel. & Sw. hvirfla, Dan. hvirvle; akin to D. wervelen, G.
   wirbeln, freq. of the verb seen in Icel. hverfa to turn.
   [root]16. See {Wharf}, and cf. {Warble}, {Whorl}.]
   1. To turn round rapidly; to cause to rotate with velocity;
      to make to revolve.

            He whirls his sword around without delay. --Dryden.

   2. To remove or carry quickly with, or as with, a revolving
      motion; to snatch; to harry. --Chaucer.

            See, see the chariot, and those rushing wheels, That
            whirled the prophet up at Chebar flood. --Milton.

            The passionate heart of the poet is whirl'd into
            folly.                                --Tennyson.