purfle

verb pur·fle \ˈpər-fəl\

pur·fledpur·fling \-f(ə-)liŋ\

Definition of PURFLE

transitive verb

: to ornament the border or edges of

— purfle noun

Origin of PURFLE

Middle English purfilen, from purfil embroidered border, from Anglo-French, from pur for, in place of (from Latin pro-) + fil thread, yarn — more at pro-, file

First Known Use: 14th century

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