English
furl
Furl may come from Old French ferlier.
- Old Frenchc. 842–1400ferlieruncertain
- Englishearliest quotation 1851furl
attested reconstructed ? uncertain or disputed
Lineage
- Old Frenchc. 842–1400ferlieruncertain
- Englishearliest quotation 1851furl
Earliest quotation: 1851, Herman Melville, The Whale: “With the landless gull, that at sunset folds her…”
Every English word from Old French ferlier
Today it means
verb To lower, roll up and secure (something, such as a sail or flag)
Language periods are conventional ranges, not dates for this word.
Etymograph / Old French ferlier / furl