knurl

[nurl] /nɜrl/
noun
1.
a small ridge or bead, especially one of a series, as on a button for decoration or on the edge of a thumbscrew to assist in obtaining a firm grip.
2.
a knur.
verb (used with object)
3.
to make knurls or ridges on.
Also, nurl.
Origin
1600-10; earlier knurle (noun). See knur, -le
Examples from the web for knurl
  • knurl, there's no way to tell someone who hasn't had one of these events that they are real, but they are.
British Dictionary definitions for knurl

knurl

/nɜːl/
verb (transitive)
1.
to impress with a series of fine ridges or serrations
noun
2.
a small ridge, esp one of a series providing a rough surface that can be gripped
Word Origin
C17: probably from knur
Word Origin and History for knurl
n.

"hard excrescence," c.1600, probably a diminutive of Middle English knor "knot" (c.1400), related to gnarl, from Proto-Germanic *knur- (cf. German knorren "a knotty excrescence"). Related: Knurly.