Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Whorl \Whorl\, n. [OE. whorvil the whirl of a spindle; akin to
   AS. hweorfa the whirl of a spindle, hweorfan to turn; cf. OD.
   worvel the whirl of a spindle. See {Whirl}, n. & v.]
   1. (Bot.) A circle of two or more leaves, flowers, or other
      organs, about the same part or joint of a stem.

   2. (Zo["o]l.) A volution, or turn, of the spire of a univalve
      shell.

   3. (Spinning) The fly of a spindle.

Source : WordNet®

whorl
     n 1: a round shape formed by a series of concentric circles [syn:
           {coil}, {roll}, {curl}, {curlicue}, {ringlet}, {gyre},
          {scroll}]
     2: a strand or cluster of hair [syn: {lock}, {curl}, {ringlet}]
     3: a structure consisting of something wound in a continuous
        series of loops; "a coil of rope" [syn: {coil}, {spiral},
        {volute}, {helix}]