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.
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.]
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.