Burl
/bɜːrl/noun
A rough, knotted growth on a tree, or a knot or lump in fabric.
Did you know?The word may be related to Old Norse and Middle English forms for a knot or lump, and its tree meaning became especially prized because burl wood’s chaotic grain is so rare and valuable.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
*burla-
“A swelling, knot, or lump”
Old Norse
ON
burli
“A knot, swelling, or lump”
Middle English
ME
burle
“A knot or lump, especially in cloth or wood”
16th Century
English
burl
“A knotty growth on a tree or a lump in fabric”
Modern English
English
burl
“A rough, knotted growth on a tree or a lump or knot in material”