Emily Dickinson Lexicon

WHIRL, v.t. [hwurl; Sax. hwyrfan; D. wervelen; G. wirbeln, to whirl, to warble; Dan. hvirveler, Sw. hvirfla, to whirl, Dan. hvirvelbeen, whirl-bone, vertebra; hvirvelsoe, whirl-sea, a whirlpool; Sw. hvirfvel, Ice. whirla, a whirl. We see that whirl and warble are dialectical forms of the same word, and bath probably from the root of L. verto and Eng. veer.]

To turn round rapidly; to turn with velocity. He whirls his sword around without delay. – Dryden.