English [ edit ]

Alternative forms [ edit ]

hurple, hirple, hurtle

Etymology [ edit ]

A word of unknown origin, perhaps cognate with Scots hirple (“to limp”) or Dutch hurken (“to squat”), plus the suffix -le. This etymology is incomplete. You can help Wiktionary by elaborating on the origins of this term.

Pronunciation [ edit ]

Verb [ edit ]

hurkle (third-person singular simple present hurkles, present participle hurkling, simple past and past participle hurkled)

( intransitive ) to draw in the parts of the body, especially with pain or cold to cower ( of the limbs ) to contract, to pull in

Scots [ edit ]

Etymology [ edit ]

Unknown. May come from Old Norse, possibly related to Dutch hurken (“to squat”). This etymology is incomplete. You can help Wiktionary by elaborating on the origins of this term.

Pronunciation [ edit ]

Verb [ edit ]

hurkle (third-person singular present hurkles, present participle hurklin, past hurkled, past participle hurkled)

to sit huddled in a crouched position either for warmth or secrecy, to draw oneself together like a crouching animal to walk with the body in a crouching position

Derived terms [ edit ]

hurklin ( “ hunchbacked, misshapen ” )

Noun [ edit ]

hurkle (plural hurkles)

( anatomy ) the upper part of the thigh, the hip

Derived terms [ edit ]