Real Dictionary

purl in American English 1
a purling stream or rill
to knit with a reverse stitch
to move in ripples or with a murmuring sound
noun: a basic stitch in knitting, the reverse of the knit, formed by pulling a loop of the working yarn back through an existing stitch and then slipping that stitch off the needle

purl in American English 2
purfle
twisted metal thread, as of gold or silver, used in embroidery
intransitive verb: to flow with curling or rippling motion, as a shallow stream does over stones
noun: the action or sound of purling

purl in British English 1
noun: a knitting stitch made by doing a plain stitch backwards
verb: to knit (a row or garment) in purl stitch

purl in British English 2
noun: a curling movement of water; eddy
verb: (of a stream, etc) to flow with a gentle curling or rippling movement and a murmuring sound