burl
noun
ˈbər(-ə)l 
1
: a knot or lump in thread or cloth
2
a
: a hard woody often flattened hemispherical outgrowth on a tree
b
: veneer made from burls
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web While burls can be harvested and sold legally on private land, burl poaching is an ongoing concern in northern California’s parks. 
Lyndsie Bourgon, Smithsonian Magazine, 7 Sep. 2022 The cow-free perches are offset by deep-pile, deep-green carpets, furthering the counterintuitive package that zagged against the typically posh glossy burl veneers and sumptuous hides. Basem Wasef, Robb Report, 10 Aug. 2022 The burl wood side table makes the cozy winter vibes in this Studio Ashby space even stronger. Hadley Mendelsohn, House Beautiful, 23 June 2022 The space has bookmatched burl wood paneling and custom-lacquered walnut tables with brass inlay. Katherine Clarke, WSJ, 16 June 2022 At the far right is the dining area, where a banquette in faux-bois velvet—dead stock discovered at Mood Fabrics in the city’s Garment District—is paired with a burl-and-brass oval table and olive wool sateen chairs of Hendifar’s design. Camille Okhio, ELLE Decor, 20 Apr. 2022 Opel uses burl wood throughout the house for some French Deco flair. Jennifer Berno Decleene, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 Feb. 2022 And there’s plenty of vintage burl pieces to be found on Chairish (see No. 1). Sunset Magazine, 5 Jan. 2022 The vintage burl wood table and gold convex mirror enhance the room’s character. Kelly Allen, House Beautiful, 11 Aug. 2021 See More
Lyndsie Bourgon, Smithsonian Magazine, 7 Sep. 2022 The cow-free perches are offset by deep-pile, deep-green carpets, furthering the counterintuitive package that zagged against the typically posh glossy burl veneers and sumptuous hides. Basem Wasef, Robb Report, 10 Aug. 2022 The burl wood side table makes the cozy winter vibes in this Studio Ashby space even stronger. Hadley Mendelsohn, House Beautiful, 23 June 2022 The space has bookmatched burl wood paneling and custom-lacquered walnut tables with brass inlay. Katherine Clarke, WSJ, 16 June 2022 At the far right is the dining area, where a banquette in faux-bois velvet—dead stock discovered at Mood Fabrics in the city’s Garment District—is paired with a burl-and-brass oval table and olive wool sateen chairs of Hendifar’s design. Camille Okhio, ELLE Decor, 20 Apr. 2022 Opel uses burl wood throughout the house for some French Deco flair. Jennifer Berno Decleene, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 Feb. 2022 And there’s plenty of vintage burl pieces to be found on Chairish (see No. 1). Sunset Magazine, 5 Jan. 2022 The vintage burl wood table and gold convex mirror enhance the room’s character. Kelly Allen, House Beautiful, 11 Aug. 2021 See More Word History
Etymology
Middle English burle, from Anglo-French *bourle tuft of wool, from Old French, from Vulgar Latin *burrula, diminutive of Late Latin burra shaggy cloth
First Known Use
15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1