WordWeb Online

1. Something twisted and tight and swollen
   "the old man's fists were two great gnarls"
   - knot

1. Twist into a state of deformity
   "The wind has gnarled this old tree"
    
2. Make complaining remarks or noises under one's breath
   - murmur, mutter, grumble, croak, chunter [Brit]

Derived forms: gnarls, gnarling, gnarled

See also: gnarly

Type of: bend, complain, deform, distorted shape, distortion, flex, kick, kvetch [N. Amer], plain [archaic], quetch, sound off, turn, twist

Encyclopedia: Gnarl