birl

birl  (bûrl)

v. birled, birl·ing, birls

v.tr.

To cause (a floating log) to spin rapidly by rotating with the feet.

v.intr.

1. To participate in birling.

2. To spin.

n.

A whirring noise; a hum.

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[Blend of birr and whirl.]

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birler n.

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birl¹

vb

1. Scot to spin; twirl

2. (Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Forestry) US and Canadian to cause (a floating log) to spin using the feet while standing on it, esp as a sport among lumberjacks

n

a variant spelling of burl²

[probably imitative and influenced by whirl and hurl]

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birl²

vb

Archaic Scot to ply (one's guests, etc.) with drink

[Old English byrelian; related to byrele cup-bearer]

Thesaurus

Verb	1.	birl - cause a floating log to rotate by treading birle circumvolve, rotate - cause to turn on an axis or center; "Rotate the handle"
	2.	birl - cause to spin; "spin a coin"         twirl, whirl, spin circumvolve, rotate - cause to turn on an axis or center; "Rotate the handle"