Liberal Dictionary English Dictionary
verb (used with object)
- to gather into a compact roll and bind securely, as a sail against a spar or a flag against its staff.
verb (used without object)
- to become furled.
noun
- the act of furling.
- something furled, as a roll.
- furl in a body, Nautical. to furl (a square sail) with loose canvas gathered at the mast, so as to make a harbor furl.
- furl in the bunt, Nautical. to furl (a square sail) by gathering canvas upward, so as to load the yard equally at all points.
verb
- to roll up (an umbrella, a flag, etc) neatly and securely or (of an umbrella, flag, etc) to be rolled up in this way
- (tr) nautical to gather in (a square sail)
noun
- the act or an instance of furling
- a single rolled-up section
1550s, of uncertain origin, possibly from Middle French ferler “to furl,” from Old French ferliier “chain, tie up, lock away,” perhaps from fer “firm” (from Latin firmus; see firm (adj.)) + -lier “to bind” (from Latin ligare). Related: Furled; furling.