from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Burl \Burl\ (b[^u]rl), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Burled} (b[^u]rld);
p. pr. & vb. n. {Burling}.] [OE. burle stuffing, or a knot in
cloth; cf. F. bourlet, bourrelet, OF. bourel, a wreath or a
roll of cloth, linen, or leather, stuffed with flocks, etc.,
dim. of bourre. [root]92. See {Bur}.]
To dress or finish up (cloth); to pick knots, burs, loose
threads, etc., from, as in finishing cloth.
[1913 Webster]
{Burling iron}, a peculiar kind of nippers or tweezers used
in burling woolen cloth.
[1913 Webster]