furl

• POS: Noun, Verb (usu participle), Verb (intransitive), Verb (transitive)

CIDE DICTIONARY

furl, v. t. [Contr. fr. furdle, fr. fardel bundle: cf. F. ferler to furl, OF. fardeler to pack. See Furdle, Fardel, and cf. Farl.].

 To draw up or gather into close compass; to wrap or roll, as a sail, close to the yard, stay, or mast, or, as a flag, close to or around its staff, securing it there by a gasket or line.  [1913 Webster]

OXFORD DICTIONARY

furl, v.
1 tr. roll up and secure (a sail, umbrella, flag, etc.).
2 intr. become furled.
3 tr. a close (a fan). b fold up (wings). c draw away (a curtain). d relinquish (hopes).

Derivative

furlable adj.

Etymology

F ferler f. OF fer(m) FIRM(1) + lier bind f. L ligare

ROGET THESAURUS

furl

Rotation

VB rotate, roll along, revolve, spin, turn round, circumvolve, circulate, gyre, gyrate, wheel, whirl, pirouette, twirl, trundle, troll, bowl, roll up, furl, wallow, welter, box the compass, spin like a top, spin like a teetotum, spin out.