Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary - birl

 I. intransitive verb  Etymology: Middle English, from Old English byrelian; probably akin to Old English beran to carry — more at bear  Date: circa 1585 chiefly Scottish carouse  II. verb  Etymology: perhaps imitative  Date: 1724  transitive verb  1. spin  2. to cause (a floating log) to rotate by treading  intransitive verb to progress by whirling  • ~er noun