Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Purl \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 \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.]

Purl \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 \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.

Source : WordNet®

purl
     v 1: flow in a circular current, of liquids [syn: {eddy}, {whirlpool},
           {swirl}, {whirl}]
     2: make a murmuring sound; "the water was purling"
     3: knit with a purl stitch
     4: edge or border with gold or silver embroidery
     5: embroider with gold or silver thread

purl
     n 1: gold or silver wire thread
     2: a basic knitting stitch [syn: {purl stitch}]