A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 1986 (DOST Vol. VI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quhirl(l, n. Also: quhirle, whirle, whirrell. [ME and e.m.E. whirl (a1547), whiruell (1556), also qwerle (1411), wherwille (1479), qwherel (Cath. Angl.), whurle (1560), pulley of a spindle (1411), skein (1560), whirling movement (a1547), commotion (1552); cf. Quhirl(lv., also Quhorle n., (M)Du., (M)LG wervel whirlpool, spindle, etc., ON hvirfill circle, ring (obs. Dan. hvirrel eddy, etc.).]
a. lit. and fig. A (rapid) turn, revolution or rotatory motion, as of a wheel.a1500 Henr. Orph. 487 (Ch. & M.).
That wardly men sum tyme ar castin hie Apon the quhele … And wyth a quhirl [Asl. quhirll] … Ar thravin doun 1531 Bell. Boece I 141. c1590 J. Stewart 131/7.
No quhirle of fortouns quheill Treuth may doune cast
b. A swift or violent whirling motion, as of wind or water. A whirrell of wind, a whirlwind. c. A whirlpool. = Quhirll-pole n.1513 Doug. i ii 52.
Wyndis … with a quhirl blew all the erth about 1661 Crim. Trials III 602.
Will not yow think it a sport, if the Deivill raise a whirrell of wind, and tak her away —1701 Brand Orkney & Shetl. 142.
Several tides … returning and meeting with other tides cause such a whirle, as we see behind mill-wheels
