DictionarypurlMurmuring flow
verb

purl

To flow with a soft murmuring or rippling sound.

A narrow stream purls over the stones beside the trail.

Etymology

Purl is an expressive word associated with the rippling or murmuring of moving water. The verb describes flow together with its soft sound.

More examples

  • Water purls gently through the garden channel.
  • We rested beside a brook purling beneath the willows.
  • The creek purled softly past our campsite all night.

Forms

purl · purls · purled · purling

Similar words

babble
Suggests a livelier, more noticeable sound as water flows.
ripple
Emphasizes small surface waves rather than the sound of flowing.
murmur
Describes a soft sound without necessarily implying flowing water.