birl

[burl] /bɜrl/
verb (used with object)
1.
Chiefly Northern U.S. Lumbering. to cause (a floating log) to rotate rapidly by treading upon it.
2.
British. to spin or cause to rotate.
verb (used without object)
3.
Chiefly Northern U.S. Lumbering. to cause a floating log to rotate rapidly by treading on it.
4.
British.
  1. to move or rotate rapidly.
  2. Informal. to spend money freely.
  3. Informal. to gamble.
noun
5.
British Informal. an attempt; a gamble.
Origin
1715-25; perhaps blend of birr1 and whirl, influenced, in some senses, by birle
Related forms
birler, noun
British Dictionary definitions for birl

birl1

/bɜːl; Scottish bɪrl/
verb
1.
(Scot) to spin; twirl
2.
(US & Canadian) to cause (a floating log) to spin using the feet while standing on it, esp as a sport among lumberjacks
noun
3.
a variant spelling of burl2
Derived Forms
birling, noun
Word Origin
C18: probably imitative and influenced by whirl and hurl

birl2

/bɜːl; Scottish bɪrl/
verb
1.
(archaic, Scot) to ply (one's guests, etc) with drink
Word Origin
Old English byrelian; related to byrele cup-bearer

burl2

/bɜːl/
noun (informal)
1.
(Scot & Austral, NZ) an attempt; try (esp in the phrase give it a burl)
2.
(Austral & NZ) a ride in a car
Word Origin
C20: perhaps from birl1 in the Scot sense: a twist or turn