gnarl

intr.v., gnarled, gnarl·ing, gnarls.
To snarl; growl.

[Frequentative of GNAR .]

gnarl² (närl)
n.
A protruding knot on a tree.

tr.v., gnarled, gnarl·ing, gnarls.
To make knotted; twist.

[Back-formation from GNARLED.]

Note: click on a word meaning below to see its connections and related words.

The noun has one meaning:

Meaning #1: something twisted and tight and swollen
  Synonym: knot

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The verb gnarl has 2 meanings:

Meaning #1: twist into a state of deformity

Meaning #2: complain quietly
  Synonyms: murmur, mutter, grumble, croak

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