gnarl

Noun · Verb

Synonyms: knot murmur mutter grumble croak

WordNet 3.0

Noun (1)

something twisted and tight and swollen“their muscles stood out in knots”“the old man's fists were two great gnarls”“his stomach was in knots”Synonyms: knot

Verb (2)

twist into a state of deformity“The wind has gnarled this old tree”
make complaining remarks or noises under one's breath“she grumbles when she feels overworked”Synonyms: murmur mutter grumble croak

Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)

Gnarl \Gnarl\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Gnarled; p. pr. & vb. n. Gnarling.] [From older gnar, prob. of imitative origin; cf. G. knarren, knurren. D. knorren, Sw. knorra, Dan. knurre.] To growl; to snarl. [1913 Webster]

And wolves are gnarling who shall gnaw thee first. --Shak. [1913 Webster]

Gnarl \Gnarl\, n. [See Gnar, n.] a knot in wood; a large or hard knot, or a protuberance with twisted grain, on a tree. [1913 Webster]